Take Action
Abolish Electroshock Petition
Mary Maddock of MindFreedom Ireland has organised a petition called Abolish Electroshock.
To look at, or to sign the petition, visit http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/noeloctroshock/
2009 New Zealand Mental Health Media Grants
Grants of up to twelve thousand dollars are available for "developing a media project which can help reduce the incidence of stigma and discrimination for people with experience of mental illness". The grant is administered by the Mental Health Foundation and Like Minds Like Mine.
With a creative approach these grants have potential as an opportunity to promote some important issues.
Here a few ideas to start you thinking. Feel free to use them if you are going to apply for the grant to develop a media project.
- A published book or booklet with recovery stories from people who have recovered without drugs with details of how they recovered, reducing stigma by showing that people can make good choices that enable their recovery.
- Education for Mental Health providers on how to reduce stigma from Mental Health providers towards their clients. (Preferably delivered creatively and compassionately by someone who works in a Mental Health Service).
- A video showing sucessful people in their every day lives then they talk about the psychiatric labels that they have had in the past and now they are living well. The video could show that recovery is not just possible but probable with the right kind of support, educating and encouraging viewers not to discriminate.
- Education on how overprescribing drugs to people is a form of discrimination and the unwanted effects of the drugs (e.g. tardive dyskinesia) often lead to stigmatisation. Discussion of real alternatives to drugs which could be offered as a first choice.
CARM
In New Zealand there is a Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring which anyone can report to about their adverse reactions to medicines, vaccines, devices and all clinical events. This information about the existence of the centre (CARM) and our ability to report to it is usually withheld from us by the medical profession.
Ask the Doctor who prescribed the medication or treatment to report your adverse reaction to CARM. If the Doctor will not do this, you can do it yourself.
Click on the little candle below to get a printable version of the form. (Requires Acrobat Reader.) If you wish to take action and report an adverse effect to medication etc, print out the form and complete it. Circle the option ‘other’ on the bottom left hand corner, and write ‘self’ beside it. Send your form to
The Medical Accessor
Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring
PO Box 913
DUNEDIN
For more information on CARM, visit http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Profs/PUarticles/ADRreport.htm#Anyone or http://carm.otago.ac.nz/CARM.asp
If you do not live in New Zealand, make enquiries – your own country may well have such a centre.
MedWatch is the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) program for health professionals to report serious reactions and problems with medical products such as drugs and medical devices. For more information, and to report an adverse reaction to Medwatch, visit http://www.drugawareness.org/Ribbon/MedWatch.html
More Ways to Take Action
- Know your rights.
- Become informed about issues that concern you.
- Write a Letter to the Editor in the newspaper.
- Write to your Member of Parliament.
- Talk to your local District Health Board's Consumer Liason Person if they have one, or write a letter to the DHB.
- Participate in any surveys and consultations with Health Providers and NGO's.
- Watch out for features on relevant subjects such as ECT on the TV and radio talk back these are good opportunities to raise awareness.
- Share your recovery story with others.
- Make connections with other people who share your goals and values. If you agree with the aims of Patients Rights Advocacy, it is very easy to join. You'll find some other worthwhile organisations on the links page.