What is MindFreedom?

MindFreedom International is a nonprofit organization that unites sponsor and affiliate grassroots groups with thousands of individual members to win human rights and alternatives for people labeled with psychiatric disabilities.

MindFreedom Vision

A nonviolent revolution in mental health care.

MindFreedom Mission Statement

"In a spirit of mutual cooperation, MindFreedom leads a nonviolent revolution of freedom, equality, truth and human rights that unites people affected by the mental health system with movements for justice everywhere."

MindFreedom Goals

• Win human rights campaigns in mental health.
• Challenge abuse by the psychiatric drug industry.
• Support the self-determination of psychiatric survivors and mental health consumers.
• Promote safe, humane and effective options in mental health.

MindFreedom International Board of Directors

• Celia Brown, Board President
• Ted Chabasinski
• Judi Chamberlin
• Krista Erickson
• Janet Foner
• Al Galves, PhD
• Mary Maddock
• Matt Morrissey

MindFreedom Office Contact Information

MindFreedom International
454 Willamette, Suite 216
PO Box 11284
Eugene, OR 97440-3484 USA

web site: http://www.mindfreedom.org
e-mail: office@mindfreedom.org
office phone: (541) 345-9106
toll free: 1-877-MAD-PRIDe or 1-877-623-7743
fax: (480) 287-8833

Who Is MindFreedom?

MindFreedom International is where the power of mutual support combines with the power of human rights activism. MindFreedom International is where democracy is finally getting hands on with the mental health system. Join, donate and become active!

The majority of MindFreedom's members are people who have experienced human rights violations in the mental health system, or psychiatric survivors. However, everyone who supports human rights is invited and encouraged to join and become active leaders. Mental health professionals and workers, advocates and attorneys, family members and the general public are all active as equal members and leaders in the MindFreedom International family. Our sponsor and affiliate groups are among the key leading organizations to change the mental health system.

MindFreedom is one of the very few totally independent groups in the mental health field with no funding from or control by governments, drug companies, religions, corporations, or the mental health system. MindFreedom International is a nonprofit under IRS 501(c)(3) that is the only group of its kind accredited by the United Nations as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with Consultative Roster Status.

MindFreedom Story

Inspired by the civil rights and other movements, in about 1970 many psychiatric survivors, dissident mental health professionals and advocates formed a diverse international effort to change the mental health system. MindFreedom is directly rooted in this international social change movement.

In 1986 the project that would eventually become MindFreedom International began as a newsletter called Dendron published by Clearinghouse on Human Rights and Psychiatry and funded with a start-up grant from the Levinson Foundation. In May 1990 a coalition was formed during a counter-conference and peaceful protest to the Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association in New York City. This network was named Support Coalition International. In August 2005 Support Coalition International changed its name to MindFreedom International.

Some of our members have been human rights activists for more than 30 years, and others for only 30 days. All are welcome! We at MindFreedom International are proud of more than two decades of successful activism, advocacy, peaceful protest, public education, mutual support, lobbying, organizing and never ever giving up our dream: Equal opportunity of mental and emotional well being for all.

MindFreedom's office is located in the historic Growers Market in downtown Eugene, Oregon. MindFreedom, as a tenant, is part of the community of social change groups and food co-op. You can see our windows from the Amtrak station, within the Growers Market mural. Members are encouraged to drop by and visit!

Your membership, participation, support and active leadership are welcome and encouraged!