Inspiring Voices

Below are some of the inspiring voices that are shaping the Recovery movement internationally.

Robert Whitaker

Robert Whitaker is an award-winning medical and scientific journalist and author. He has won the prestigious George Polk award for medical writing and his book ‘Anatomy of an Epidemic’ won the 2010 Investigative Reporters and Editors book award for investigative journalism. Other books include ‘Mad in America’ and ‘Psychiatry under the Influence’. In 1999 he was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. He is currently publisher of madinamerica.com.

Robert Whitaker looks at the fact that America spent 40 billion dollars in 2007 on psychiatric medication compared to 800 million in 1987, telling the public that this medication fixes chemical imbalances, helping people live normal lives by reducing their problematic symptoms. However, instead of a reduction, there is instead, a disturbingly high increase in mental illness. He goes on to investigate why we keep medicating if it is not working. His findings are deeply alarming.

Anatomy of an Epidemic:

“There are now nearly 6 million Americans disabled by mental illness, and this number increases by more than 400 people each day. A review of the scientific literature reveals that it is our drug-based paradigm of care that is fueling this epidemic. The drugs increase the likelihood that a person will become chronically ill, and induce new and more severe psychiatric symptoms in a significant percentage of patients.” R. Whitaker

John McDougall interviews Robert Whitaker

Effects of psychiatric medications over 5-20 Years?

Dr. Dan Fisher

Dr. Dan Fisher has recovered from schizophrenia and went on to become a psychiatrist with the goal of changing the system. Due to his inspiring work in the Recovery Movement he has been selected as a member of the White House Commission on Mental Health. He is currently Executive Director of the National Empowerment Center.

“Unfortunately, the label and identity of mental patient is so deep that we and the people around us continue to interpret life¹s normal swings of emotion as symptoms of continuing illness” Full Article: People can recover from mental illness.

Psychiatrist Daniel Fisher Talks about Hope and Recovery

APA Protest 2018 Speech

Dr. Eleanor Longden & Dr. Paris Williams

Dr. Eleanor Longden is a highly respected researcher, mental health activist and research coordinator of Intervoice, The International Network for Training, Education, and Research into Hearing Voices. She has a Master’s degree in Health Psychology with a Ph.D. on trauma, dissociation and psychosis.

Dr. Paris Williams is a clinical psychologist who has had personal experience of ‘madness’. His book “Rethinking Madness” deconstructs the myths of ‘madness’ in a clear and insightful manner, showing how the pessimistic view of the medical model is misguided and looks at more accurate and hopeful understandings and approaches. Through personal stories, this book reveals how recovery is not only possible but also common and how experiencing ‘madness’ can be an exceptionally positive and deeply transformative experience.

Free Download of E-book: Rethinking Madness (Towards a Paradigm shift in our Understanding & Treatment of Psychosis)

Article: Is Schizophrenia Really a Brain Disease? Deconstructing the Myths of Madness

Dr. Eleanor Longden – Learning from the voices in my head

Dr. Paris Williams – Personal experience with psychosis

Phil Borges

Phil Borges is a human-rights photographer and filmmaker. In documenting the lives of indigenous cultures for many years, he was inspired by how they see ‘psychotic’ symptoms as indicators of shamanic potential, and thus viewing and treating people in these states very differently to how they are treated in the West. His multi-award-winning documentary ‘CrazyWise’ follows two people going through extreme states and their journey to recovery, including inspiring interviews with people who are challenging mainstream mental health ideas.

Phil Borges: Psychosis or Spiritual Awakening

CrazyWise Trailer

Dr. Allen Frances

Dr. Allen Frances is the psychiatrist who was the chair for the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) Task Force. He argues that psychiatric diagnosis relies on subjective judgement rather than on biological test. His many books include ‘Saving Normal: An Insider’s Revolt against Out-of-Control Psychiatric Diagnosis’, ‘DSM–5, Big Pharma, and the Medicalization of Ordinary Life’.