We live in an era of mental health care increasingly being replaced by coercive, carceral systems.  This ranges from the well meaning but disastrous California “CARE Courts” to the current practices in New York of rounding up those who "appear unstable."  This means that folks are being stripped of their autonomy and rights and forcibly medicated while the parameters of mandated care are dangerously expanded in ways that violate International Law.  These trends are at risk of a dangerous acceleration in the face of the current rhetoric from our federal government, which is calling for re-institutionalization and discussing sending people off to labor camps as a form of "treatment."  The risks are especially high for those who are BIPOC, indigenous, undocumented, or members of sexual or gender minorities or other groups against whom "mental illness" and institutionalization hasve historically been leveraged to devastating effect. 

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In practice, research shows that involuntary hospitalization and forced drugging reduces the recovery rate of individuals from >80% to <5% and reduces their lifespans by >20 years. 

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The Mental Health Autonomy Alliance is here to say No. No more. Not in our communities. We are working to protect and advance Mental Health Autonomy through legislation, education, advocacy and practice.   

 

Connect with us to learn more, take direct action, and build community.  Whether you’re someone who is moved by cross movement solidarity, you are an expert by experience, you’re a therapist, a legislator, an invested accomplice or ally there is a place for you in the work of championing Mental Health Autonomy.

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Treatments That Work are Voluntary Treatments

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