Peter Lehmann
last update on August 28, 2008
 
Links to organisations of (ex-)users and survivors of psychiatry and other interesting web sites
Warning! In spite of all care when installing links, I cannot guarantee for the correctness of the addresses nor the actual political or personal positions of the persons or groups on the list. See my disclaimer. User/survivor of psychiatry groups have different positions and perspectives. Trying out contact addresses is always at your own risk.

If you find any connections to the Scientology sect by the organisations to which I have installed links, please give me a short note, I will delete these links at once. I know from media reports which damage the fans of the ideology of Ron Hubbard may cause. If you find any connections to groups to which I have installed links, who follow the ideology of forced treatment, please give me a short note, I will delete these links at once. I know from own experiences and media reports which damage the fans of forced psychiatric treatment (many psychiatric and parents' organisations and others who believe that human rights are dividable) may cause. A lot of people die from psychiatric treatment with toxic psychotropic drugs or shock "therapy" caused by electricity, poison or insulin.

World

  • International Network Toward Alternatives and Recovery – INTAR: International group gathers to promote non-medical approaches to treating people diagnosed with mental illness

  • INTERVOICE – International Network for Training, Education and Research into Hearing Voices. "We understand 'voices' to be real and meaningful, something that are experienced by a significant minority of people, many of whom have no problems living with their voices. Research shows that to hear voices is not the consequence of a diseased brain, but more akin to a variation in human behaviour, like being left-handed. It is not so much the voices that are the problem, but the difficulties that some people have in coping with them. On this site we have provided information about ways of overcoming the difficulties faced by people who hear voices and information about the more positive aspects of the experience as well as the cultural and historical significance of this important variation in human behaviour."

  • MindFreedom International: A non-profit federation of 100 groups in 11 countries united to WIN human rights in the "mental health system". Address: MindFreedom, 454 Willamette, Suite 216, PO Box 11284, Eugene, OR 97440-3484, USA. Toll free order number: 1-877-MAD-PRIDE. Phone: (541) 345-9106 / Fax: (541) 345-3737 / eMail: office[at]mindfreedom.org

  • World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry – is an international organisation, advocates for human rights of users and survivors of psychiatry, speaks internationally for them, promotes their movement in every nation around the globe and links their organisations and individuals throughout the world

Asia

  • "Communication" – Selfhelp group. Aims: To combat stigma in Tajik society and to promote the change of the society's attitudes towards the mentally ill people. Objectives: empowerment, enlightment, advocacy, leasure. Contact address: Communication, c/o Jamshed Hakimov, Fedina Street 3, Appartment # 85, 734058 Dushanbe, Tajikistan, e-mail jamshedik2007[at]yahoo.com

  • Japan National Group of Mental Disabled People, P.O.Box No. 28, Kizuna-sha, Komatsu Post Office, 923-8691 Japan, Fax +81-761-24-1332, eMail: futen[at]mail7.dddd.ne.jp

  • JAPAN WNUSP NETWORK, c/o JHC SUNMARINA, 2-31-13, kamiitabashi, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 174-0076 Japan http://www.teenscreentruth.com/index.html

Australia / Oceania

  • Mad Pride Wardrobe, buy your Batty is Beautiful Shirt. Proceeds go towards financial support for education & training initiatives conducted by people with psychiatric diagnoses

  • Patients Rights Advocacy (Waikato) Inc. New Zealand: "For those who want to promote their own rights and the rights of others to mental wellness and choice. Some people who use this site have found psychiatric drugs and/or ECT less than helpful (understatement) and we would like to see real changes and choices in the way that people given the label of patient or consumer, and those who choose the label 'survivor' are treated by the Mental Health System"

Europe

  • Alterpsy.org is merly a website – it was the first website of this kind in French language. It provides basic information on coercitive psychiatry and the survivor movement. It also has sections in Spanish, English, and German language. There are discussion boards in the four languages and a link to Italian friends.

  • Benzodiazepine Awareness Network International: A web site dedicated to sufferers of iatrogenic benzodiazepine tranquilliser addiction everywhere. Launched on July 6, 2000 with around a dozen pages this site now has more than 500 pages of articles and information, expert medical documents, news stories and personal accounts

  • Critical Psychiatry Network: first met as 'The Bradford Group' of psychiatrists in January 1999. It provides a network to develop a critique of the contemporary psychiatric system

  • Edition Humanistische Psychologie: Humanistische Psychologie, Existentielle Psychotherapien, Organisationsentwicklung, Beratung, Supervision; »Gestalttherapie. Forum für Gestaltperspektiven«, »profile. Internationale Zeitschrift für Veränderung, Lernen, Dialog«, »Zeitschrift für Gestaltpädagogik«

  • European Network of (ex-)Users and Survivors of Psychiatry – demokratisch strukturierter Verband von Psychiatriebetroffenen-Organisationen, mit Mitgliedsverbänden in vielen europäischen Ländern. Beraterorganisation der WHO und der Europäischen Kommission. The Network is the only grassroots umbrella organisation on a European level that unifies (among others) national organisations of (ex-)users and survivors of psychiatry across the continent to provide a direct representation of people who are or have been on the receiving end of psychiatric services. Involvement of both user and survivor organisations from all over Europe is a unique added value of the Network. The European Network of (ex-)Users and Survivors of Psychiatry is an initiative to give (ex-)users and survivors of psychiatric services a means to communicate, to exchange opinions, views and experiences in order to support each other in the personal, political and social struggle against expulsion, injustice and stigma in our respective countries. With links to organisations and groups in nearly all European states

  • European Network for User-Led Projects: Netzwerk betroffenenkontrollierter Projekte in Europa. "The network was started by a group of (ex-)users of mental health services in the Netherlands and England. They believe that there should be more exchange between consumer-run projects for (ex)users of mental health services at a European level. To reach their goal, the network has a web site made for and by (ex-)users of mental health services, who are actively involved in consumer-run projects. The development of the site, which is currently still basic due to the lack of financial means, will depend on the number of participants. Annual meetings for participants will also be organised. The setting-up of a database of experts in each country is also envisaged." (MHE-Newsletter 6/2002, p. 4). Contact: Georgette Groutars, eMail: ggroutars[at]lpr.nl

  • Greek Observatory for Human Rights in Mental Health: network to support (ex-) users and survivors of psychiatry to protect their own human rights, to shape policies in the mental health field and to iinform the people in Greece about alternatives beyond psychiatry. The network is built by professionals in mental health, (ex-) users and survivors of psychiatry, lawyers, journalists and other interested citizens. The organisation of the network is democratic, and any kind of financial support through pharmaindustry is strictly rejected. Contact: paratiritiriopsy[at]yahoo.com. Founding statement of June 2006 (77 KB, pdf)

  • Humans Hope: Website der Schweizers Antonio E. Boller mit dem Anliegen, sich am Fluss der Gegenströmungen zu beteiligen und der weltweiten neoliberalen Zerstörung der menschlichen Lebensgrundlage etwas entgegenzusetzen: "Wir möchten möglichst viele Bewegungen die für das neue tausendjährige Friedensreich einstehen, vernetzen. Wir wollen das Licht zusammenführen und gemeinsam in die Welt strahlen."

  • MindLink – a network of mental health service survivors · Target group: (ex-)users and survivors of psychiatry only · Aims: The primary purpose of MindLink is to ensure (ex-)users/survivors of mental health services have a direct say in shaping Mind, its policies and its campaigns · Contact: MindLink, c/o Mind, 15 – 19 Broadway, LONDON, E15 4BQ, Tel. +44 20 82152210, Fax +44 181 5221725. Mind Link Development Manager: Shannon O'Neill, eMail s.oneill[at]mind.org.uk

  • Soteria Network – umbrella organisation for various projects including the dissemination of information, support for proactive community groups run by mental health users, and the creation of crisis houses which offer a non-medical alternative to acute hospital care/rehabilitation

Northern America

  • Advocacy Unlimited, Inc. "is an advocacy education program for persons with mental health disabilities. This web site contains lots of information and resources for persons with mental health disabilities. The highlight is on a training program that educates individuals with psychiatric disabilities in areas of self, systems, and legislative advocacy skills."

  • Alaska Mental Health Consumer Web provides recovery stories and other recovery resources.

  • AllAboutAnxiety.net: Website run by Geraldine Burns. Gives access to experts on the diagnosis, treatment of anxiety and panic attacks and combines the best of traditional medicine and alternative medicine. You will finally learn the underlying causes of anxiety and panic attacks and learn steps to heal your body. You will also have the opportunity to participate in our active blog and hear from others who are looking for real answers.

  • Alliance for Human Research Protection (AHRP) is a national network of lay people and professionals dedicated to advancing responsible and ethical medical research practices, to ensure that the human rights, dignity and welfare of human subjects are protected, and to minimize the risks associated with such endeavors.

  • Alternatives – Magazine For Cultural Creativity Issue (Eugene, OR)

  • Alternative to Meds Center (San Francisco) is committed to helping people end their dependence on medication or drugs (including anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, anti-anxiety medications, opiates and other recreational drugs) and achieve mental health naturally through medication tapering, targeted nutritional therapy, brain chemistry testing, yoga, acupuncture, counseling, instruction in clinical nutrition and sauna detoxification within a residential setting. Tall free help line: (800) 359-9698. Contact: lyle[at]alternativetomedscenter.com

  • The Analyst™: diagnostic online tool on tardive dyskinesia etc.

  • Antipsychiatry Coalition – deutsche Ausgabe: www.antipsychiatry.org/deutsch.htm

  • CHAADA – Children & Adults Against Drugging America. CHAADA is a membership organizatiom. "As the founders of CHAADA, we have all had personal experiences with psychiatric medications and treatment, whether personally or with a loved one and are dedicated to raising awareness concerning the dangers of prescription psychiatric medications and the deceptive practices occuring within the psychiatric profession"

  • Coalition Against Psychiatric Assault (CAPA): Information about CAPA's mandate, events, and other relevant information about anti-psychiatry in Canada and worldwide

  • The Community Consortium works to promote the full citizenship and civil rights of people who have been excluded from participation in their communities because they have been identified as psychiatrically disabled.

  • Consumer Organization & Network Technical Assistance Center (CONTAC): Consumer-run technical assistance center

  • COSP Research Project: Consumer-Operated Services Program (COSP) Research

  • DotPsychology.com is designed to be your one-stop destination for anything you can think of that is about or related to psychological. We know that the Internet is an overwhelming space and finding just the information you need can still be a frustrating and time-consuming process. Our mission to be the leading provider of quality e-business, information and resources for psychological and professionals services

  • A Drug Recall – Information on the side effects of recalled drugs and access to attorneys specializing in drug side effects litigation

  • Seth Farber, Ph.D., a psychologist, sociial activist and founder of the Network Against Coercive Psychiatry. His forthcoming book Lunching with Lunatics: Adventures of a Maverick Psychologist will be published in 2006

  • Friends and Families of Psychiatric Survivors of Wisconsin: "We are the only actively anti-force organization in Wisconsin for people who have been labeled with psychiatric diagnoses. Our long-term goals: To oppose the use of force in psychiatry. To speak out against the injustice and oppression of the biomedical or 'brain disease' model. To expose the biomedical or 'brain disease' model as the hoax that it is. To combat mentalism (bigotry or discrimination regarding those whose speech, thoughts, conversation or behavior may seem peculiar) in society."

  • Global Vision Project: an international educational media campaign to promote the concept of sustainability as a global goal. Sustainability means using the Earth's resources to meet the needs of the present generation without violating the right of future generations to meet their own needs

  • International Coalition for Drug Awareness

  • Kids Against Drugs Family Action Training Plan helps all families Discuss and Plan Drug Prevention! With this plan every PARENT and their KIDS can sit together and TALK About Recreational Drugs! Website of Michael Meredith, active church member in USA

  • Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN): Information for consumers, families, and professionals, including a services locator, free publications, and links

  • Lunatics Liberation Front – Website of Irit Shimrat, Canada

  • MadNation: News, resources, and creative expression from the consumer/survivor liberation movement

  • Lars Martensson's web site on "Brain & mind, schizophrenia, and neuroleptic (anti-psychotic) drugs"

  • NARPA: the National Association for Rights Protection and Advocacy, an independent organization, is a unique mix of people who've survived these institutions, of advocates, civil rights activists, mental health workers, and lawyers. NARPA exists to expose abuse, to shed light on coercive and dangerous practices, and to promote real alternatives to a mental health system that even professionals agree is a disgrace.

  • National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse: Consumer-run technical assistance center

  • Norsehorse's Home Turf - Alternative Mental Health Resource Page. This is a resource (or links) page concerning information about alternatives to the traditional, medical model-based, mental health system.

  • PEER Center: The largest drop-in center and consumer-run organization in Florida

  • The Potential for Psychiatric Harm In Legal and Ethical Practices: Implications for Recovery. Website of Aubrey Ellen Shomo and Gareth Fenley

  • Psych Central Dr. John GROHOL's Mental Health Page: Comprehensive links to mental health information

  • PsychRights®: The Law Project for Psychiatric Rights, a non-profit organization, has a mission to bring fairness and reason into the administration of legal aspects of the mental health system, particularly unwarranted court ordered psychiatric drugging.

  • Radical Psychology Network "seeks like-minded psychologists and others to help create a society better able to meet human needs and bring about social justice. We want to change society's unacceptable status quo and bring about a better world."

  • Ragged Edge magazine is successor to the award-winning periodical, The Disability Rag. On the website you'll find today's writing about society's "ragged edge" issues: medical rationing, genetic discrimination, assisted suicide, long-term care, attendant services in Northern America

  • Smith, Clover: Escape from Psychiatry: Book on Psychiatric Survivors - Study of Psychological Laws - The Cause, Psychiatric Exacerbation, and Educational Cure of Mental Illness - The Alternative to Brain-Disabling Psychiatry.

  • Story of a PROUD Nutcase: Story of author's escape from domestic and psychiatric abuse, discusses civil and human rights violations that are involved in the involuntary commitment of those alleged to be mentally ill. Inclueds personal information, photographns and poetry. Author: Victoria D. Gaines To life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness! Peace in struggle, Vicky PROUDNutaol.com (Wouldn't, couldn't, be anything but!)

  • Successful Schizophrenia: "Our mission is to help psychiatry (for its own good) free itself from the delusions that keep it from being an effective medical speciality and to provide proof that thousands of people are right when they say they are NOT mentally ill"

  • TeenScreen Facts "is a group for teens opposed to TeenScreen. Information regarding TeenScreen is sent out to the email addresses of those who join. These emails will keep you updated on the latest with TeenScreen across the U.S."

  • TeenScreen Truth: "purpose in putting together this web site is to provide the truth on mental health screening programs by presenting information gathered from various sources on the Internet and helping you to connect-the-dots"

  • Welcomeworld.org: web site by Clover Smith – demystifying mental illness, transcending from the naive, irresponsible, automatic motivation, thoughts, and emotional reactions of the psychological child, the child of man, to the psychological adult, the child of God choosing to love and serve God and self by loving and serving others

  • Western Massachusetts Training Consortium: a center for responsible innovation, creates conditions to enhance the lives and make possible the dreams of people living with disabilities and/or living with the impact of abuse. Address: 187 High St., Suite 202 Holyoke, MA 01040, Tel. (413) 536-2401 x3032, Fax (413) 536-4166, eMail ocohen[at]wmtcinfo.org

  • The Willard Suitcase Exhibit Online: a trove of lives lost in the bowels of a mental institution. Website for an exhibit of individuals who disappeared in the bowels of a mental institution during the first half of the 20th century

  • Windhorse Northampton: "Windhorse Associates is a non-profit treatment and education organization with a whole person approach to recovery from serious psychiatric disorders. Our services are individually tailored in close communication with each client and family. This community, known for its natural beauty and vibrant cultural, recreational and educational life, is located two hours from Boston and three hours from New York City."

  • Susan Lien Whigham: BEYOND SURVIVAL: THE SCHIZOPHRENIA MYTH. Questions and Answers about Schizophrenia. Dedicated to debunking the myth that schizophrenia is a disease.