Consumer Conferences
Taking Charge Together
The National Empowerment Center in cooperation with the NEC-West and Project Return: the Next Step is presenting the Alternatives 98 Conference on February 12-15, 1998, in Long Beach, Calif. This conference is designed by and for mental health consumers/psychiatric survivors/ex-patients.
More than 60 workshops are being offered, covering an array of informative topics related to personal growth, healing and recovery, organizing for change, promoting diversity and rights and policy-making.
Featured presenters include Irit Shimrat, the noted Canadian author and activist, whose new book, Call Me Crazy, has received excellent reviews; John Kemp, a lawyer and expert on disability issues and services, speaking on arts opportunities for people with psychiatric disabilities, as well as cross-disability culture; and Jacki McKinney, a mother, consumer/survivor/ex-patient activist and a soulful, exciting speaker talking about her life, as well as addressing cultural diversity issues.
For further information, contact:
Alternatives 98
P.O. Box 1322
Sioux Falls, S.D. 571-1-1322
Phone/Fax: (605)338-1088
E-Mail: Alt98Conf@aol.com
Consumers and Mental Health Associations Coming Together in '98: United in Leadership
Plans are underway for the Clifford W. Beers National Mental Health Conference, "Consumers and Mental Health Associations Coming Together in '98: United in Leadership"--the first major collaborative event between the National Mental Health Association and The National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse. As this partnership grows, so do the advantages it offers to both groups.
Location is one of the greatest benefits. Scheduled for June 6-10, 1998, at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Crystal City, Va., the conference is important for its proximity to the country's power base.
Innovation is another attraction. Attendees of this conference will be coming in on the ground floor of the movement to combine consumer and Mental Health Association resources. Members of both groups will have the opportunity to network and draw on each others' knowledge and experience.
The agenda for the conference is being set around these mutual strengths. So far, 80 workshops are planned on such significant topics as: consumer issues (ADA rights, managed health care, etc.); consumer-run programs; consumer/MHA partnerships; managing mental illness to prevent disability; agency/non-profit growth and development; advocacy training; and children's issues.
For more information, please call 1(800) 553-4539, ext. 297 or e-mail
The National Mental Health Self-Help Clearinghouse at info@mhselfhelp.org.
CONSUMER AFFAIRS BULLETIN
Vol. 3, No 1, Winter 1997
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