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About the impossibility of a single (ex‐)user and survivor of psychiatry position[Note 1. This paper was read in a preliminary version at ...]
Author(s) -
Hölling Iris
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0447.2001.1040s2102.x
Subject(s) - psychiatry , legislation , mental health , psychology , medicine , political science , law
Objective: To present the European Network of (ex‐)users and survivors of psychiatry and discuss issues of concern among (ex‐)users and survivors. Method: Material from papers and documents published by and discussed among (ex‐)users and survivors of psychiatry is used to outline topics of interest. Results: The European Network of (ex‐)Users and Survivors of Psychiatry (ENUSP) was founded in 1991 as an association of national/regional organizations of (ex‐)users and survivors of psychiatry. The network organizes biennial conferences, all delegates are (ex‐)users and survivors of psychiatry. ENUSP aims include the fight against discrimination of people with experience of the psychiatric system, support for (ex‐)user/survivor organizations, influence on policy‐making, legislation and human rights debates, demedicalizing psychiatry, and opposition to unidimensional approaches to mental and emotional distress. Conclusion: (Ex‐)users and survivors should be involved in monitoring psychiatric services, education and examination of mental health professionals. User/survivor‐controlled services constitute an important innovative service.