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2003
National Conference on Self-Determination for Mental
Health Consumers/Survivors
PROJECT
PURPOSES:
On October 2-3, 2003, the University of Illinois at Chicago, National Research
and Training Center on Psychiatric Disability sponsored,
“The National Self-Determination and Psychiatric
Disability Invitational Conference: We Make the
Road by Traveling on It.” This conference was co-planned
with a workgroup comprised primarily of individuals
with personal experience in the mental health system.
It brought together 50 national experts in a variety
of areas related to self-determination, recovery,
mental health services, peer support, social change,
and political action. The working agenda addressed
helping individuals with psychiatric disabilities
take charge of their own lives; helping systems
change to support this approach to services and
policies; and helping communities accept the importance
of self-determination for people with mental health
and emotional difficulties.
The conference was divided into three tracks: 1) Individual Self-Determination
and Recovery; 2) Self-Determination in Mental Health
and Other Service Systems; and 3) Societal/Collective
Self-Determination. Working sessions were held
within each track. During these sessions, conference
participants discussed issues relevant to what
helps and what hinders self-determination for people
with psychiatric disabilities. Issues of diversity,
gender, age, cross-disability needs/strengths,
and the importance of technology were emphasized
in each working session.
To initiate discussion,
a series of briefing papers was presented in each
of the conference tracks. The first track papers
highlight the authors’ personal experiences on
the road to self-determination. The second track
papers address the ways in which the current infrastructure
and financing of formal service systems largely
are not conducive to self-determination and self-direction
for service participants. The third track papers
focus on societal barriers to self-determination
for people with psychiatric disabilities, as well
as strategies to address these issues through political
and social action. All papers summarize current
knowledge about self-determination at specific
track levels, and suggest action steps for the
future. These papers are now available for download.
2003
NATIONAL SELF-DETERMINATION CONFERENCE LEAD PROJECT
STAFF:
Jessica
A. Jonikas, MA and Judith A. Cook, Ph.D.
2003
NATIONAL SELF-DETERMINATION CONFERENCE WORKGROUP
MEMBERS:
Larry
Belcher, Judi Chamberlin, Kathy Furlong-Norman,
Ramiro Guevara, Tamar Heller, Chris
Hendrickson, David Oaks,
Laurie
Powers, Joseph Rogers, Andrea Schmook, and Suzanne
Vogel-Scibilia.
[MHSRP Home] [NRTC Board] [NRTC Projects] [Home] UIC
National Research and Training Center
on Psychiatric Disability
1601 W. Taylor St.
4th Floor, M/C 912
Chicago, IL USA 60612
312.355.1696
312.355.4189/FAX
Please send technical questions or suggestions to the Webmaster.Last updated
October 2, 2006
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