Advocacy and Recovery Story Issue

The Massachusetts Legislature's Mental Health Caucus (MHLC) consists of about 80 state representatives and state senators who are interested in supporting mental health legislation.

Representative Kay Kahn and Representative Doug Peterson are the co-chairs of the Caucus.

Due to the repercussions of stigma and discrimination, should she be out-ed as a consumer, the author--who works at the Massachusetts Statehouse--has chosen anonymity.

To read the full article: click on the article's title, located just above this intro blurb, or click here.

Recovery Story
SOULKILL THE EPISODE OF THE DEMON
Joe Carson

A story from the heart of struggle, lessons learned; life renewed.

To read the full article: click on the article's title, or click here.

Attend a Meeting of the Boston Chapter of M-POWER
Howard D. Trachtman, Boston Chapter Organizer

With the heartfelt testimonial in this article, Boston Organizer, Howard Trachtman, invites you to attend a Boston M-POWER Chapter meeting. The Chapter meets regularly in Dorchester.

To read the full article: click on the article's title, located just above this intro blurb, or click here.

Benefits Brief - The MMA is Coming
Medicare Modernization Act
Lyn Legere

There are changes coming to the Medicare/Medicaid health plans, which serve many psychiatric consumers. In this benefits brief, Lyn Legere, our benefits specialist, writes of what is now known about the upcoming changes.

To read the full article: click on the article's title, located just above this intro blurb, or click here.

Sarah Entemann is working with the Coalition for Fresh Air Access's Executive Director, Jonathan Dosick, on an effort to secure the right to the outdoors and fresh air for psychiatric inpatients. Sarah was herself incarcerated for a long time with no outdoor access granted her.

To read the full article: click on the article's title, located just above this intro blurb, or click here.

Recovery Story:
The Synergy of Trauma: Growing Flowers in My Mother's Garbage Can
Anonymous

Due to the extremely intense nature of the autobiographical details she recounts, and to the controversial nature of those who carry the label/diagnosis of Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD), the author of this story chose to remain anonymous. Dear reader, be warned that if you proceed to the story part of this recovery story, you will encounter palpable, gruesome trauma.

Graphically described homicide, incest and rape are the main topics detailed in the anecdotal part of this article, which you will find when you click the link below. You have courage if you continue to read, please do not do so if you feel such a story may be triggering for you, or too upsetting for you to shrug off. I must reiterate: please don't click the story link if you think you could have trouble moving on in peace with your day-to-day life after reading it.

Please also take note of this fact: many people, including mental health professionals, have expressed serious doubts as to the credibility of this story. For example, upon telling her story to many friends, doctors and colleagues; the author describes hearing: "dubious gasps, which are exhaled in a manner that makes the listener sound as if they've been personally wounded, usually they are silent at first, with a look on their face that I've seen in the mirror for years…their eyes glazed over…as they make inaudible sounds of recognition and…then…they are left in a long gaping silence, their faces resonating with shock and disbelief." We leave it up to you to decide for yourself on the veracity of this tale.

To read the full article: click on the article's title, located just above this intro blurb, or click here.

Make Our Voices Heard!
M-POWER Statehouse Empowerment Event
Linda S. Rost

On Monday December 6th, 2004 M-POWER held an event at the Massachusetts Statehouse. The event was organized by M-POWER in order to spread the word about the crucial function advocacy work and political activity can have on the quality of our lives. The event was held in Room 222 at the Statehouse.

To read the full article: click on the article's title, located just above this intro blurb, or click here.