Activism – Recovery in the Bin

The DIM US framework

I was feeling traumatised this morning and needed an outlet for my experiences. So I have created my alternative “Recovery in the Bin” framework that attempts to mirror the realities compared to the CHIME Framework for personal recovery. I call it the DIM US framework #RITB.

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CHIME Framework for personal recovery
Connectedness
Having good relationships and being connected to other people in positive ways.
Hope & Optimism
Having hope and optimism that recovery is possible and relationships that support this.
Identity
Regaining a positive sense of self and identity and overcoming stigma.
Meaning
Living a meaningful and purposeful life, as defined by the person (not others)
Empowerment
Having control over life, focusing on strengths, and taking personal responsibility.

DIM US Framework for a “Recovery in the Bin”
Disenfranchisement
The state of being deprived of a right or privilege.
Characterised by poor access to social programmes, no adjustments for a disability in employment, not being listened to by people in authority etc..
Impermanence & Faith
All things undergo change including life to death and powerful to powerless. Suffering is not permanent.
Characterised by a change in new leaders in authority, Change in ideologies, salvation in an afterlife etc..
Misrepresentation
A false statement of a material fact made by one party on another.
Characterised by the belief that one is lazy, of immoral character and commits social sins. E.g. Stigma
Utility
The state of being useful, profitable and beneficial.
Characterised by peoples values only measured by their economic utility. E.g. Someone is worthless because they do not work.
Subjugation
The action of bringing someone or something under domination or control. Characterised by removing or creating barriers to social programmes such as access to housing, income, health services or food to control an individual’s behaviour.

Neopaternalism – New Wave Paternalism In UK Mental Health Services

neopaternalism

Artwork by: @JADEELIZB

Neopaternalism refers to the practice, often seen in MH services, of professionals imposing their versions of ’empowerment’ and ‘independence’ etc. on individuals in their care regardless of the individuals own views. Typically, ‘independence’ in this context is near synonymous with discharge or cuts to care provision.

Neopaternalism prioritises the professional’s worldview, agenda, values and goals. As such, it mirrors traditional paternalism, but the content and language used is different. Emphasis on independence in neopaternalism is often framed as contrasting to traditional paternalism in which providing care is perceived as restricting a person’s liberty and autonomy. However, this obscures the fundamental similarity in which both approaches impose the powerful’s agenda on the less powerful.

Neopaternalism is in some ways worse than traditional paternalism, which at least resulted in some care. Traditional paternalism involved helping by ‘doing to’ an individual in their perceived best interests, whether or not the individual found it helpful. Neopaternalism involves ‘helping’ by not doing anything (supposedly ‘empowering’), whether or not the individual finds that helpful. Neopaternalism is oppression skulking behind an empowerment façade.

Neopaternalism pervades the co-opted neoliberal recovery approach which is every bit as coercive as other models: there is an obligation to recover, find certain things helpful & failure to do so is pathologised by both services (PD) & alternative models (sick role). Underlying neopaternalism is pressure on individuals to fulfil neoliberal policy outcomes, conflating individual/citizen needs with government agendas.

Example:

“We’ve decided for you that you must not be dependent on us. Your opinion doesn’t matter because we are doing this for you, in your best interests. We are empowering you by discharging you to promote your independence. You must take responsibility. Nb We will not admit it has anything to do with neoliberal ideology or cuts”

Recovery In The Bin (RITB) is covered by a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) License

Mental Health Resistance Network Protest 20th Nov #WeDemand

Screenshot 2018-11-11 21.54.56

#WeDemand
Please share far and wide
Westminster Health Forum Keynote Seminar
20th November 2018
Registration Time: 8:30 am
Start Time: 9:00 am
Venue: Royal Over-Seas League, Over-Seas House, Park Place, St James’s Street, London SW1A 1LR

Meet outside the venue at 8am. Bring whatever banners you want to bring. Be loud and be proud.

The whole thing is rotten to the core, so MHRN will be protesting this event which will bring together some of the people who have had a hand in preventing us from receiving appropriate care and a secure income.

In response to the abusive agenda of this government, MHRN has produced a document that outlines our demands. It is a living document and will be updated from time to time.

PDF MHRN

We will be launching our demands at the protest and presenting it to Claire Murdoch, National Mental Health Director, NHS England and will be sent to Cabinet and Shadow Ministers, MPs and anyone else we see fit to send it to and it will form the basis of our campaigning.

It will be an early start but it is an important protest and we want everyone who can make it to be there. And of course, it’s off to the pub/coffee shop after we have made our point.

Facebook event page