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This sure is a fine day to be alive and free and involved in this most important responsibility of citizenship. I was pleasantly surprised last week when Joe Glazer, (President/CEO of MHANYS) asked me to speak today. He offered me up to 10 minutes to brief you about what involuntary outpatient commitment means, and along with that, the value and importance of non-medical model alternatives to psychiatric treatment. I have worked as an advocate and activist with the Mental Patients Liberation Alliance for over 20 years. The Alliance has over 200 dues paying members throughout New York State. Many other members and friends avoid the membership list but contribute in other ways. The first principal of unity in our Alliance, and also in the broader "mental patients" movement is, "We Speak for Ourselves."

Too many times, other special interest groups, including treatment providers, families, and even mental health associations claim to speak for us. Too often us "mental patients" and "crazy folks" are ignored, excluded, coopted or silenced. So, I am particularly appreciative of the Mental Health Association in New York State for asking me to address our issues this time.

The only issue that really matters to most of us is that of forced treatment. We concede that the force of other powers may imprison or impede us for our alleged dis-orders or dis-ease. We suggest a fairness and beg, as fellow human beings, that the integrity of our brains, the thoughtfulness of our minds, and the soul of our spirit must be each our own possession. We believe it is wrong for doctors to treat god's people without their willful, voluntary, competent, and informed consent. What does involuntary outpatient commitment mean?

I work with people who help set my agenda. Last week an Alliance board member reminded me that she had witnessed people being chased down and even killed for alleged psychiatric reasons. I am reminded of several people we knew who were taken into psychiatric facilities very much alive, treated, and carried out dead. I am reminded of the people who took their own lives, suffering from the despair, pain, and fear of forced treatment. I also think of the innocent people, the victims of the victims of mistreatment who may infrequently strike out at anyone in their anguish. I wonder what will happen to me if involuntary outpatient commitment is expanded. I have been labeled "paranoid schizophrenic"--which means, psychiatrically--I am seriously ill with no hope of recovery or cure. I can only be maintained. Once mad--always bad.

Alliance members who monitor mental health court routinely hear doctors convince judges that even if "this" patient is not now nor has ever been dangerous, "patients" with a diagnosis of major mental illnesses will become dangerous unless medicated. I challenge and caution you to take a reality check into a "mental-health trial" sometime.

I stand here stigmatized as duly diagnosed. I am known as a MICA. I am condemned as a drinking and drugging paranoid schizophrenic. In institutions I have been held down and shot up with unwanted, unpleasant, disabling and punitive psychiatric drugs for the slightest act of noncompliance, or defiance, or for nothing at all. I have had electrodes attached to my temples and electricity coursed through my brain to make me cooperative and compliant--to change the me that I was.

I know the professional literature instructs that there are no contraindications for shock treatment, and that the first indication of shock treatment is having had a history of that treatment. In a few states where the information has to be available, shock treatment is mostly used on elderly women without their consent. Shock treatment is prescribable in some involuntary outpatient treatment initiatives. Shock treatment is promoted to treat everything from AIDS, Parkinson's disease, sadness in pregnant women, severely emotionally disturbed children, and paranoid schizophrenics. Especially noncompliant paranoid schizophrenics like me. Outpatient shock treatment with recuperative day-care is said to be a booming business throughout the country and in this state. Read the industry projections. Did I mention the children?

The New York State Office of Mental Health's 1980 5-year plan targeted 6,000,000 people-one third of the state's population at that time, to be in need of psychiatric supervision and treatment. How convenient for the treaters to label people with mouths like mine as "paranoid."

The Mental Health Association in New York State has taken a position opposing involuntary outpatient commitment. I personally thank you. Over 40 organizations in New York State have joined the Coalition to Stop Involuntary Commitment. Included in this coalition are: The Center for Human Policy at Syracuse University, the Mental Health Association in Essex County, the Oneida County Department of Mental Health, the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, the Urban Justice Center, Peer Networking Group, and the New York City Recipient Coalition as well as about 30 other groups.

The Coalition maintains that involuntary outpatient commitment is a poor substitute for good services and supports that are flexible, well coordinated, accessible, and responsive to people in need. We understand that the threat of forced treatment in the present system causes people to resist and avoid mental health and other services. The Coalition promotes the provision of an adequate range of options which people will want to use. Services and supports that promote wellness, healing, independence, and personal responsibility.

We in the Coalition would point out that it is an error to assume that--even with involuntary outpatient commitment and full compliance of doctors orders--people will stop having "mental-health" problems. People in the Coalition believe that trust, acceptance, patience, and guidance may be better for mental health than force. We suggest that a recovery attitude that enhances communication, and empowers and educates, is superior to the madness and sadness that results when one's self-determination is taken away. In addition to the range of alternative support and healing methods that are or should be generally available to people, the Coalition recognizes the importance of supports provided by people who are considered to have psychiatric disabilities themselves.

Here in Albany, hospital diversion services, as well as supportive housing are provided by the Community Living Associates Program. A safe, secure, and affordable home sure can mean a lot to one's mental health. Respite services and hostels can serve as a place of asylum and assistance when things at home aren't right.

Involuntary treatment would have us use an injection of Haldol to solve issues with landlords, neighbors, roommates and relatives. The medical model means the patient is always the problem. The Coalition details many alternatives and peer operated supports that work-work to help people heal, recover, to become responsible, hopeful and involved. I would ask for this Association to join the Coalition. Forced treatment is torture.