Volkmar Aderhold, born in 1954, is an M.D. and doctor of psychiatry, psychotherapy and psychotherapeutic medicine. He has worked since 1982 in psychiatry, from 1996-2006 as a senior physician in the area of psychosis at the Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy in the University Clinic of Hamburg-Eppendorf. Since 2006, he has been a member of the Institute for Social Psychiatry at the University of Greifswald. Publications include Psychotherapie der Psychosen – Integrative Behandlungsansätze aus Skandinavien (Psychotherapy of Psychosis: Integrative Treatment Approaches from Scandinavia), in collaboration with Yrjö Alanen, et al., 2003.

Karyn Baker has worked in mental health since 1983 and has had her own family experience. Since 1996, she has been the Director of the Family Outreach and Response Program in Toronto, Canada. Karyn has developed education and support programs for families using a critical psychiatric perspective. Presently, she has been given the lead role in Toronto to develop programs for families with a relative recovering from first time label of psychosis. More

Regina Bellion, born 1941, cleaning-woman, factory-worker, haute-couture sales-woman, teacher, waitress etc. Today living in retirement in Bad Orb.

Wilma Boevink, born 1963, social scientist, Professor of Recovery at the Hanze University of Groningen, an active member of the Dutch user-movement in psychiatry. Former board member of the European Network of (ex-) Users and Survivors of Psychiatry (ENUSP). Working in Utrecht at the Trimbos-Institute (the Dutch Institute of Mental Health and Addiction). She is the leader of a user-led training and consulting company in the area of recovery, empowerment and experiential expertise of persons with psychiatric disabilities. Since 2006, Chair of Stichting Weerklank, the Dutch organisation of people who hear voices and have psychotic experiences. Publications include Samen werken aan herste. Van ervaringen delen naar kennis overdragen (Working Together on Recovery: From Sharing Experiences to Implementing Knowledge), co-author, 2002; Stories of Recovery: Working Together towards Experiential Knowledge in Mental Health Care, editor, 2006.

Pat Bracken is currently Clinical Director of the Mental Health Service in West Cork, Ireland. He trained in medicine, psychiatry and philosophy in Ireland and in the UK. He was Professor of Philosophy, Diversity and Mental Health at the University of Central Lancashire in the years 2006-2008. He was co-editor of the book Rethinking the Trauma of War with Celia Petty, published in 1998. His own book Trauma: Culture, Meaning and Philosophy was published in 2002. With Phil Thomas, he published the book Postpsychiatry: A New Direction for Mental Health in 2005.

Stefan Bräunling, born in 1967. Father of two children. Qualified Psychologist, Master of Public Health. From 1997 to 2007, staff worker at the Berlin Runaway House, since then, working within the field of health promotion for the organisation "Gesundheit Berlin-Brandenburg". Also works with the Berlin Crisis Services.

Ludger Bruckmann. Born 1947, bicycle mechanic. Since 1980, active in antipsychiatric self-help organisations. Co-founder of the Verein zum Schutz vor psychiatrischer Gewalt (Organisation for the Protection from Psychiatric Violence). Participated in the development and founding of the Berlin Runaway House, working there from the beginning in 1996 until he retired in July 2010. 2002, founding member of Für alle Fälle (In Any Case), board-member from 2002-12. More

Giuseppe Bucalo was born in Sydney (Australia) in 1962. Now living in Sicily, Italy. In 1986, co-founder of the Comitato d'Iniziativa Antipsichiatrica (Committee of Antipsychiatric Initiatives) and, in 1994, of Telefono Viola (Purple Telephone; www.ecn.org/telviola) and La Sindrome Associativa (The Associative Syndrome) in Sicily. Since 1996, member of Associazione Penelope in Taormina. Book publications among others: Dietro ogni scemo c’è un villaggio (Behind Every Fool There Is a Village), 1993; Malati di Niente (Sick of Nothing), 1996; La malattia mentale non esiste (Mental Illness Does Not Exist), 1996; Dizionario Antipsichiatrico (The Antipsychiatric Dictionary), 1997; Sentire le voci (Hearing Voices), 1998. More

Dorothea S. Buck-Zerchin, born 1917, sculptor. Victim of forced sterilization during the Nazi era. After free artistic activity, taught art and handicraft at the Technical College for Social Pedagogy in Hamburg from 1969-82. Since 1970, active in the self-help movement. 1992, co-founder of the German Bundesverband Psychiatrie-Erfahrener (BPE) (Federal Association of [ex-] Users and Survivors of Psychiatry), now Honorary Chair. 1989, co-founder of the "Psychosis-Seminars". Countless lectures in Germany and abroad and contributions in specialised journals and anthologies. 1997, awarded with the Bundesverdienstkreuz erster Klasse (decoration of the Federal Republic of Germany for service to the community). Publications include Auf der Spur des Morgensterns – Psychose als Selbstfindung (On the Trail of the Morning Star: Psychosis as Self-Discovery), edited by Hans Krieger, 1990; Ermutigungen (Encouragements), 2012; 70 Jahre Zwang in deutschen Psychiatrien – erlebt und miterlebt (u. a.) (Seventy Years of Coercion in German Psychiatric Hospitals, Experienced and Witnessed [etc.]), 2006; The Sky and Beyond – On the Trail of Dorothea Buck, film by Alexandra Pohlmeier, 2008. More

Tina Coldham used mental health services for over 17 years. She has used this experience to promote user/survivor perspectives in all her work when she became self-employed as a trainer/lecturer, researcher and consultant. She became active through setting up self-help groups, and also being part of a local campaigning user group. This led to national and international involvement. Tina was elected to the National Advisory Panel for Mind Link—the user/survivor arm of national Mind, the leading mental health charity in England and Wales, and was Chair for two years. She was also involved in setting up the National Survivor User Network in 2005 and just finished a term as Chair in January 2011. However, Tina still finds time to actively campaign at grass roots level for better mental health services which respect human rights..

Bhargavi Davar finished her Ph.D. in 1993 on the subject of the philosophical foundations of psychiatry and related sciences. She studied existential philosophy and psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, critical theory, anti-psychiatry, the history of psychiatry, and philosophies of self, mind and freedom. She also contributed to a critique of psychiatry from women's point of view with several academic publications. In 1999, she created the Bapu Trust, a national organisation advocating for change in the Indian mental health system. She has received several fellowships, grants and awards, including the prestigious Ashoka Fellowship. In 2006, she finished a comprehensive study of traditional healing in India, situating it in the context of inner life. She has a passion for research and writing, and lives with her daughter (born in 1999) in Pune, India,where she practices arts-based therapies and is an avid gardener.

Anne Marie DiGiacomo has been working in human services since 1977 in non-profit and community mental health arenas, receiving her Masters of Social Work in 1986. During the first 18 years of her career, she worked with children, adolescents and families in both residential and day treatment settings and private practice. Since 1996, she has worked at Windhorse Associates and Windhorse Community Services in the position of Clinical Director, Co-Executive Director, Admissions Director and Senior Clinician. Anne Marie is a practicing Buddhist and brings a contemplative perspective to her therapeutic work as a psychotherapist and Sandplay therapist.

James B. (Jim) Gottstein. Born in Washington State in the USA in 1953. Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 1978. Subject to brief psychiatric hospitalizations in 1982 and 1985. Attorney advocate for people diagnosed with serious mental illness, including the successful billion dollar litigation reconstituting Alaska's one million acre Alaska Mental Health Land Trust, the 2006 landmark Alaska Supreme Court decision on forced drugging in Myers vs. Alaska Psychiatric Institute, the 2007 Witherhorn v. Alaska Psychiatric Institute, disallowing involuntary commitment for being gravely disabled unless the person is unable to survive safely in freedom and the 2008 case, Bigley v. Alaska Psychiatric Institute, re-affirming psychiatric patients' rights to procedural and substantive due process. He has served and continues to serve on various boards and currently devotes most of his time to the Law Project for Psychiatric Rights (PsychRights), whose mission is to organize a serious, strategic, coordinated legal effort against forced psychiatric drugging. More

Chris Hansen. Born in New Zealand, Chris worked in mental health management until committed to a psychiatric ward. As a result, she became involved in user/survivor politics, including lead roles in the "Like Minds Like Mine" anti-discrimination campaign (NZ) and research from a user perspective on workforce development and mental health service policies. She had been a board member of the World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry, and has also worked as a part of the NZ delegation to the United Nations working on the Convention for Rights of Persons With Disabilities. Currently developing work within USA and internationally, Chris is extending her activism to writing, teaching and developing intentional peer support services, particularly alternatives to acute inpatient care. More

Petra Hartmann, born in 1969, education in social pedagogy, 2 children. 2002-08, staff member at the Runaway House Villa Stöckle. Since 2010, developing a center for mental-health related grievances and information in Berlin.

Alfred Hausotter. Born in 1954. Married with two children. Ph.D. in clinical psychology and health psychology. Between 1974 and 1983 survived several schizoaffective psychotic episodes. Active since 1997 in assisted living. Book publications: Der GottTeufel – Innenansicht einer Psychose (The GodDevil: An Inner Look at Psychosis), 2006.

Michael Herrick was born in 1955. In 1976, became a student of Tibetan Buddhism under Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Master's degree in Contemplative Psychotherapy at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, in 1984. Experience in the mental health field since 1980: worked with the original Windhorse (Maitri Psychological Services) as a Housemate and a Team Therapist under Edward Podvoll. Since the early 80s, an avid student of the Integral Approach as presented by American philosopher Ken Wilber. 2001, return to Windhorse Associates, Inc. in Northampton, Massachusetts, as Team Leader. From 2003-08, Executive Director of Windhorse. Now working in London in private practice and as a tutor at the Minster-Center, the leading Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling Training Institute in Europe.). More

Guy Holmes is a clinical psychologist living and working in Shropshire, U.K. He specialises in alternatives to psychiatry and challenging stigma through groupwork, and has published in the areas of male victims of childhood sexual abuse and the medicalisation of men's problems. Books include This is Madness: A Critical Look at Psychiatry and the Future Mental Health Services (1999) and This is Madness Too: Critical Perspectives on Mental Health (2001), both edited with Craig Newnes and Cailzie Dunn, and Psychology in the Real World: Community-based Groupwork (2010). More

Andrew Hughes was born in 1953 in Rochdale, England. He has been married twice and has four children. He first received mental health services at the age of 17, followed by many periods of madness and several stays in hospitals with compulsory treatment. From the mid-1980s he became involved in the self-advocacy movement, providing occasional 'patient perspectives' and critiques of mental health service provision at conferences and training events. In 1988 he co-founded, together with Anne Plumb and Tony Riley, Distress Awareness Training Agency (DATA), the U.K.'s longest established survivor training group. Since March 2000 he has been self-employed as a trainer, researcher and consultancy worker in mental health and the wider health, social care and disability fields.

Theodor Itten. Born in 1952 in Langenthal, Switzerland. From 1971-81 studied psychology at Middlesex and City University, psychotherapy and ethnology in London with Ronald D. Laing and Francis Huxley. Member of the United Kingdom Council of Psychotherapy. Since 1981, has practiced psychotherapy in St. Gallen. From 2003-08, committee member of the Schweizer Psychotherapeutinnen und Psychotherapeuten Verband (Swiss psychotherapists' association), from 2008-11, its president. Active for 12 years as council member of the Swiss Foundation Pro Mente Sana. In 2002, founded his own publishing company (www.ittenbooks.ch). Book publications include, Rage: Managing an explosive emotion, 2011. More

Maths Jesperson. Born 1954. From 1980-81, inmate of an old mental hospital. From 1982-88, producer at the theatre company, Mercuriusteatern, as well as local politician of the Green Party in Lund, Sweden. Converted 1984 to Catholicism. Since 1988, regional secretary of Riksførbundet för Social och Mental Hælsa (RSMH) (Swedish national organization of [ex-]users and survivors of psychiatry). Founding member of the European Network of (ex-) Users and Survivors of Psychiatry 1991. From 1994-99, editor of the European Newsletter of (ex-) Users and Survivors of Psychiatry. Since 1999, writer of cultural articles in a daily newspaper. Parallel research at the University of Lund (faculty of theatre). Since 2000, actor in the Stumpen-Ensemble, a theatre group with psychiatric survivors, drug addicts and homeless people as actors.

Hannelore Klafki, inspired by Marius Romme, Sandra Escher and Ron Coleman; was the main founding-member of the German Netzwerk Stimmenhören (Hearing Voices Network) and was its chairperson for seven years. Since 2003, she was a board-member of the German Bundesverband Psychiatrie-Erfahrener (BPE; Federal Association of [ex-] Users and Survivors of Psychiatry) and she was a trainer for (ex-)users and survivors of psychiatry, their friends and supportive relatives, as well as sympathetic workers within the psychiatric system; she offered training on such topics as how to deal with hearing voices, self-help, empowerment and alternatives to psychiatry. Book publication: Meine Stimmen – Quälgeister und Schutzengel. Texte einer engagierten Stimmenhörerin (My Voices: Tormenters and Guardian Angels, Texts of a Committed Voice Hearer), 2006. When Hannelore died on Sept. 4, 2005, she was only 53 years old. More

Miriam Krücke, born in 1979, education as a rehab-pedagogist, advanced coach and systemic consultant, experiences in the mental health system, since 2002, involved in anti-psychiatric activities. Head of the office of the Bundesverband Psychiatrie-Erfahrener (BPE; German federal organisation of users and survivors of psychiatry), working as consultant for other users and survivors of psychiatry, and organising self-help activities. For her masters thesis on the subject of "Rehab-Pedagogic", she occupied herself with the connections between advanced directives and independent coping strategies in a psychiatric context.

Peter Lehmann. Born in Calw, Black Forest (Germany). Education in social pedagogy. Living in Berlin. Author and editor since 1986, then foundation of Peter Lehmann Publishing and Mail-Order Bookstore. 1989 co-founder of the Association for Protection against Psychiatric Violence (running the Runaway-House Berlin). In 1991, co-founder of the European Network of (ex-) Users and Survivors of Psychiatry (ENUSP); from 1997-99, Chair of ENUSP; until 2010, board member. From 1997 to 2000, board member of joint WFMH-MHE (Mental Health Europe, independent European section of [and combined with] World Federation for Mental Health). Since 2004, member of INTAR (International Network Toward Alternatives and Recovery). In 2010, awarded with an Honorary Doctorate in acknowledgement of "exceptional scientific and humanitarian contribution to the rights of the people with psychiatric experience" by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. In 2011, awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany by the President of Germany. English publications include, "Coming off Psychiatric Drugs: Successful Withdrawal from Neuroleptics, Antidepressants, Lithium, Carbamazepine and Tranquilizers," edited in 2004. More

Maryse Mitchell-Brody (1984-): Maryse is a(n): organizer, proud tía, revolutionary, day-dreamer, tortured artist, badass facilitator, dancer, loud new yorker, good friend, and mad one. Along with her work with the Icarus Project, Maryse is an advocate for sex workers' rights and a member of the Rock Dove Collective, a radical community health exchange. Born and raised in New York City, she facilitates workshops that examine the links between sexual shame, trauma and emotional well-being, and explore the potential for sex as a healing modality.

David W. Oaks is a leader in the international psychiatric survivors movement also known as the "Mad Movement." He has been a human rights activist to transform mental health care since 1976. He experienced five lock-ups in psychiatric institutions, typical diagnoses, forced injections, etc. After joining the Mad Movement, he graduated with honors in 1977 and became free of the mental health system using non-drug alternatives. He is now director of MindFreedom International. He lectures in many countries all over the world. He now lives with his wife Debra in Eugene, Oregon, USA.

Peter Rippmann, Ph.D., born in 1925 in Switzerland in Stein am Rhein, began with Germanic studies, has worked over 40 years as a senior editor of the critical biweekly Der Schweizerische Beobachter (The Swiss Observer). Among other topics, he was instrumental in uncovering and publishing articles about the responsibility of the Swiss authorities' in the discriminatory politics of the Nazi-regime vis-à-vis Jewish refugees. Served as well for many years as board member of the Swizz psychiatry-critical non-profit organisation PSYCHEX. Peter died on July 30, 2010. More

Marius Romme was Professor for Social Psychiatry at the University of Maastricht, The Netherlands, from 1974 to 1999, and afterwards Visiting Professor at the University of Central England in Birmingham. Awarded with the "Knight in the Order van de Nederlandse Leeuw". Since 1987 in collaboration with Sandra Escher, he has studied the phenomenon of hearing voices, focusing on the experience of the voice hearers. Together they laid the foundation for the international hearing voices movement and published articles and books, including Accepting Voices (1993); Making Sense of Voices (2000); Living with Voices: 50 stories of recovery – in addition with Jacqui Dillon, Dirk Corstens & Mervyn Morris, 2009); Children Hearing Voices: What you need to know and what you can do (2010); Psychosis as a Personal Crisis: An experience-based approach (ed. 2012).

Gisela Sartori – Born 1952 in Endingen, southern Germany. MA in community psychology from Free University of Berlin. Emigrated to Canada in 1985, and has lived and worked in Canada's far north for the last twenty years. Founder and long-time co-ordinator of Yukon's Second Opinion Society, a grassroots community organization offering alternatives to psychiatry. Developed an integrative non-medical approach to working with aboriginal and non-aboriginal people in emotional and social distress. Has been involved with the antipsychiatry movement since 1980, and is a member of the National Association of Rights, Protection and Advocacy (NARPA) since 1992, as well as MindFreedom International and International Center for the Study of Psychiatry and Psychology (ICSPP). Former board member of World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry (WNUSP), and current member of International Network Toward Alternatives and Recovery (INTAR). Currently training in integrative body psychotherapy and transformational group process and living on Gabriola Island near Vancouver. Author of Towards Empathy (1995), a training resource to help womens' shelters provide equal access for psychiatrized women.

Erich Schützendorf, born in 1949, married with three children. Studied education, psychology and sociology. Adult education program faculty leader on the subject of aging, lecturer for social gerontology at the college of Niederrhein. Over thirty years of interest in people with dementia. More recently, dealing with his own aging process and the development of ideas for life as an old man, who might one day become dependent on others. Publications include Das Recht der Alten auf Eigensinn (The Right of the Elderly to Obstinacy), 3rd edition 2004; In Ruhe verrückt werden dürfen (Getting Crazy In Peace), in collaboration with Helmut Wallrafen-Dreisow, 12th edition 2004; Wer pflegt, muss sich pflegen (To Work as a Carer, You Have to Care for Yourself), 2006; In Ruhe alt werden können (Getting Old in Peace), 2nd edition 2006.

Zoran Solomun. Film director, born in 1953 in Pula, Istria. From 1973-77, studied at the Belgrade Academy for Theater, Film, Radio and Television. From 1985-90, leader of the independent film group Pokret (Movement) in Belgrade. Collaboration with various people and groups involved in anti-psychiatry. Since 1990, has lived in Berlin. In 1997, founded the film production company Ohne Gepäck (Without Luggage). Films include Ah, jedan podanik! (Oh! A Subject! – 1989, a documentary about the central psychiatric madhouse in Belgrade); Jedna zardjala ludnica (A rusty mental institution – 1990, a documentary about alternatives to psychiatry); Müde Weggefährten (Tired Companions – 1996, a feature film, awarded the Max-Ophüls-Prize in 1997); Der Chinesische Markt (The Chinese Market – 2000, a documentary, awarded the ARTE Documentary Film Prize in 2001); »Super Art Market« (2009 – documentary). More

Peter Stastny was born in Vienna, Austria, where he graduated from medical school in 1976. Since 1978 he has been working and residing in New York City. Taught at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx until 2009 and has conducted several publically funded research projects in the area of vocational rehabilitation, social support and self-help, in collaboration with individuals who had survived personal crises and psychiatric interventions. Currently, he is working on the development of alternative services that obviate psychiatric intervention and offer autonomous paths towards recovery and full integration. These activities have engendered a close collaboration with the user-survivor movement, as manifested by joint research projects, publications, service demonstrations, and community work. He is a founding member of the International Network Toward Alternatives and Recovery (INTAR). More

Dan Taylor. Born in 1963, grew up and is still living in Accra, Ghana. Diploma in Journalism and Marketing. In 2004, co-founder of MindFreedom Ghana to fight for human rights and better living- and treatment-conditions for (ex-) users and survivors of psychiatry. He is secretary of MindFreedom Ghana, has published articles in Ghanaian newspapers and abroad, organized symposia on prevention and rehabilitation in the mental health field, is engaged in radio and TV shows, and has organized a protest march against human rights abuses and stigma in psychiatry in July 2006 in Accra with 350 people. Dan calls for support and assistance to accentuate and strengthen the work of MindFreedom Ghana in a developing country like Ghana. E-Mail contact: mindfreedomghanayahoo.co.uk

Jan Wallcraft, living in England. PhD in 2002. Research fellow of Birmingham University and University of Hertfordshire. Freelance mental health consultant and researcher. From 1987 to 1992, co-ordinator of Mind's user network, Mindlink. In 1992, co-founder of the U.K. Advocacy Network. From 1987 to 1990, member of Survivors Speak Out's national committee. 1997 to 1999, lead researcher on the user-led Strategies for Living project at the Mental Health Foundation. Author of Healing Minds (1998); co-author of Handbook of Service User Involvement in Mental Health Research (2009); On Our Own Terms: Users and Survivors of Mental Health Services Working Together for Support and Change (2003); Being There In A Crisis (1997); contributions in Social Perspectives in Mental Health (2005); Mental Health at the Crossroads (2005).

Uta Wehde, born in 1963, psychologist. Since 1994, executive director of the Ambulante Dienste (Ambulatory Services) association in Berlin. Conceptualization and implementation of the Berlin Runaway House, founding member of the Verein zum Schutz vor psychiatrischer Gewalt (Organisation for the Protection from Psychiatric Violence) and long activity on the board. Co-founder and board member of Für alle Fälle (In Any Case). Publications critical of psychiatry, and various contributions. Author of Das Weglaufhaus – Zufluchtsort für Psychiatriebetroffene (The Runaway-house: Asylum for (ex-) Users and Survivors of Psychiatry), 1991. More

Salma Yasmeen. Living in U.K. Counselling and communication studies. Background as a psychiatric nurse, has worked in both the statutory mental health sector and the voluntary sector. Previously involved in setting up and leading Sharing Voices Bradford, which has pioneered the use of Community development approaches in mental health. 2006, leading and managing a project that is part of a national programme to tackle inequalities in mental health services for black and minority ethnic communities.

Laura Ziegler. Living in USA. In 1976, at age 17 she was locked up, diagnosed, and forcibly drugged until a court ordered it stopped. Active in the mad movement since 1983, she has been a paralegal at a mental disability law clinic, monitored mental health legal proceedings, participated in a half-year homeless protest encampment outside New York City Hall, and expressed her opposition to psychiatric oppression through testimony, whistleblowing, poetry, civil disobedience and street theater. Granddaughter of a victim of T4. Past president of NARPA (National Association of Rights, Protection and Advocacy). Since 1996, she has lobbied for disability rights and prisoners rights at the Vermont Statehouse.

Ursula Zingler, born 1939, married, mother and grandmother. 1975-2004, editor and proofreader at a scientific publishing house. In 1981, workplace harassment caused her depression. Since 1982, involved in the psychiatric reform movement. Committee work beginning in 1983, including as representative of the German Bundesverband Psychiatrie-Erfahrener (BPE) (Federal Association of [ex-] Users and Survivors of Psychiatry) in the Workshop for Further Development of Psychiatric Care at the Ministry of Health. 1991-93 instrumental in the merger of (ex-) users and survivors of psychiatry on all levels. Board member of the BPE since its founding in 1992. In this role, she took a critical position on various topics. 2007, awarded with the Bundesverdienstkreuz am Bande (decoration of the Federal Republic of Germany for service to the community). Ursula died on January 18, 2010. More