Asking questions (and expecting answers) is something that empowered people do.  Last week. David Oaks, Director of MindFreedom International, sent an email asking a simple question:

"Why is Oregon one of few states to provide zero (0) for state-wide voice of
mental health consumers and psychiatric survivors?"

Or, to put it even more simply, "Why Zero?"

His email notes that the 2009 legislature did not make the predicted deep cuts to mental health services. Yet proposals to fund a state-wide consumer/survivor voice within Oregon government were both excluded from the Governor's proposed budget and, due to - consumers were told - tight resources, denied funding by the legislature. 

David is not buying it. 

He contacted Richard Harris, the Interim Assistant Director of Oregon's Addictions and Mental Health Division, to ask: "Why Zero?"  He also requested a reply by 30 July 2009, the one-year anniversary of the passing of "the amazing, outrageous mental health consumer/psychiatric survivor advocate Dave Romprey."

David is also asking others to participate in a "Why Zero?" Campaign by asking Richard ( Richard.harris@state.or.us) the same question:"Why Zero?" 

During the 2009 legislative session, advocates like Beckie Child and Meghan Caughey from Mental Health America of Oregon worked on a bill to achieve a stronger consumer voice.  Senate Bill 378, sponsored by Senator Bill Morrisette, would have created an Office of Consumer Affairs in DHS and an Ombudsman for mental health consumers. The bill received a hearing but died due to lack of funding.  

DRO strongly supported Senate Bill 378. Here is an excerpt from our written testimony:

Nationally, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) has established a Consumer Affairs Program within the office of its Director.  CMHS policy: "supports the meaningful participation of mental health consumers/survivors in all aspects of the mental health system including the planning, design, implementation, policy formulation and evaluation of mental health services.”

CMHS policy statements recognize that, for many years, decisions about mental health policies and services were made without any input from people who have mental illnesses or their families. As a result, some policies and programs failed to meet the needs of the people they were intended to serve.  Through strong advocacy, consumer and family organizations have gained a voice in mental health research, legislation, and service delivery, working to overcome stigma preventing discrimination, and promote recovery from mental illness.

It makes sense that the experience of consumers of any service, public or private, should inform its operation.  DRO has a consumer advisory council that is invaluable in setting goals and policies for our program serving individuals with mental disabilities.  DHS (and Oregon) would similarly benefit from a more established consumer voice, and consumer-directed services within all sectors of our mental health system.  SB 368 will further this improvement.

Disability Rights Oregon applauds MindFreedom International's effort, and joins them in asking, "Why Zero?"

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For more information about the "Why Zero?" Campaign, visit:
http://mindfreedom.org/zero.