MindFreedom International facts for kids

A banner for MindFreedom International, an organization that supports human rights.

MindFreedom International is a large group of over one hundred smaller groups and thousands of people from many countries. It started in the United States in 1990. Its main goal is to speak up for the rights of people who have been given labels for mental health conditions.

MindFreedom works against treatments that people don't want, like forced medicines or electric shock therapy. Anyone who believes in human rights can join, including mental health helpers, activists, and family members. The United Nations has recognized MindFreedom as a group that helps protect human rights.

What is MindFreedom International?

MindFreedom International grew from a movement of people who had difficult experiences with mental health care. This movement started in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was about people sharing their stories and working for change.

Groups like the Insane Liberation Front in Oregon and the Mental Patients' Liberation Front in New York were early examples. A very important book for this movement was On Our Own: Patient Controlled Alternatives to the Mental Health System by Judi Chamberlin. She was a former patient and helped start the Mental Patients' Liberation Front.

In 1988, leaders from different groups felt a new group was needed to focus on human rights in mental health. They formed the Support Coalition International (SCI). In 2005, SCI changed its name to MindFreedom International. One of their first public actions was a protest in New York City in 1990. They protested outside a big meeting of the American Psychiatric Association.

Many members of MindFreedom call themselves 'psychiatric survivors'. This means they have lived through challenging times with the mental health system. MindFreedom is a group that continues to stand up against treatments that people feel are forced or unfair. It is not against all psychiatry. In fact, some kind and understanding psychiatrists have even helped MindFreedom. People from different political views have joined the group.

MindFreedom is a place where its many members can share their thoughts and experiences. They can also find support and plan actions to help human rights in mental health care. The group believes that certain practices, like forced medication or isolation, are against human rights.

MindFreedom's Challenges and Shield Program

In 2003, some MindFreedom members, led by David Oaks, went on a hunger strike. They wanted to draw attention to some "challenges" they made to big mental health organizations. They asked these groups to show clear proof that mental health conditions are only brain disorders. By continuing their hunger strike for over a month, MindFreedom encouraged a discussion with these organizations.

MindFreedom also has a "Shield Program." This program is like an "all for one and one for all" network. If a member is facing unwanted mental health treatment, an alert goes out to the MindFreedom Solidarity Network. Other members then take part in peaceful actions. These actions might include contacting politicians, sharing information with the media, or peaceful protests. The goal is to help stop or prevent the unwanted treatment.

See also

Literature

• Oaks, David W. (2007). ‘MindFreedom International: Activism for Human Rights as the Basis for a Nonviolent Revolution in the Mental Health System’. In Peter Stastny & Peter Lehmann (Eds.), Alternatives Beyond Psychiatry (pp. 328–336). Berlin / Eugene / Shrewsbury: Peter Lehmann Publishing. ISBN: 978-0-9545428-1-8 (UK), ISBN: 978-0-9788399-1-8 (USA). E-Book in 2018.
• Oaks, David W. (2007). ‘MindFreedom International – Engagement für Menschenrechte als Grundlage einer gewaltfreien Revolution im psychosozialen System’. In: Peter Lehmann & Peter Stastny (Hg.), Statt Psychiatrie 2 (S. 344-352). Berlin / Eugene / Shrewsbury: Antipsychiatrieverlag. ISBN: 978-3-925931-38-3. E-Book in 2018.
• Taylor, Dan (2007). ‘MindFreedom Ghana: Fighting for Basic Human Conditions of Psychiatric Patients’. In Peter Stastny & Peter Lehmann (Eds.), Alternatives Beyond Psychiatry (pp. 336–342). Berlin / Eugene / Shrewsbury: Peter Lehmann Publishing. ISBN: 978-0-9545428-1-8 (UK), ISBN: 978-0-9788399-1-8 (USA). E-Book in 2018.
• Taylor, Dan (2007). ‘MindFreedom Ghana – Unser Kampf um humane Lebensbedingungen für Psychiatriebetroffene’. In: Peter Lehmann & Peter Stastny (Hg.), Statt Psychiatrie 2 (S. 352-358). Berlin / Eugene / Shrewsbury: Antipsychiatrieverlag. ISBN: 978-3-925931-38-3. E-Book in 2018.