A catalyst for rethinking psychiatric care, scientific research
Welcome to Mad in Canada!
As the newest of several Mad in America global affiliates, Mad in Canada believes that the current paradigm of mental health care has failed our society and that scientific research, as well as the lived experience of those who have been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder, calls for profound change.
Mad in Canada is dedicated to providing a forum for progressive writing which reconsiders the public discourse on mental health distress in Canada.
On behalf of everyone at Mad in Canada, we’re pleased to welcome you to our webzine!
Marnie Wedlake & Lucy Costa, Co-editors
Mad in Canada stands in solidarity with First Nations.
“Enact The Gayton Principle” by Judy Gayton
In Enact The Gayton Principle, Judy Gayton writes,
"People with disabilities, both physical and cognitive, are currently discriminated against in the Legal Aid system because they are not offered substantive – or actual – equality.
This is...
“Does Capitalism Make Us Crazy?” by Susan Rosenthal
From "Does Capitalism Make Us Crazy? by Susan Rosenthal:
"There are two things we can do now. The first is, tell the truth.
Mental suffering is not a medical defect, but a protest against oppression. Attribution...
On “knowing,” activism and writing: Remembering Graeme Bacque
We owe a debt of gratitude to activists who over the years have written, recorded, created art and cultural work that exemplifies how, when, and where emancipatory knowledge happens and why this is always...
Is psychiatry such a fragile house of cards?
On October 9, 2021 an opinion piece was published in the Globe and Mail entitled ‘Woke’ psychiatrists have lost sight of the biological causes of mental illness. The author, Thomas Ungar, is an associate...
BLOGS
Essays from a diverse selection of writers, which aim to change the professional and public discourse about emotional distress and unusual experiences.
Honoring Jane Whittington: 1950-2021
It’s with great sadness that I am writing of the sudden and unexpected passing of...
Mental Health Advocacy and Activism: Perspectives from Living Experience-Based Practices
From Mad in America Continuing Education
Thursday, September 23rd, 2021. 1pm Eastern, 12pm Central, 11am Mountain,...
Remembering Don Weitz, 1930-2021
My hero, mentor, and very dear friend Don Weitz died comfortably, in his home, on...
Electroconvulsive Therapy …. What does Canada have to say?
Electroconvulsive Therapy, also known as ECT, shock therapy, and electroshock, is a psychiatric treatment that...
In Memoriam: Paula Joan Caplan
Paula Caplan, a prolific writer, playwright, and social activist, who for decades was one of...
The ERNI Declaration: Making Sense of Distress Without “Disease”
The ERNI (Emotions aRe Not Illnesses) declaration is based on the idea that distress does...
There’s a Fundamental Flaw in Mental Health Care in Canada
Mad in Canada launched on June 1st. We’re just over a month old. Reflection on...
The Politics of Distress: A discussion with Dr. James Davies on his new book ‘Sedated.’
Dr. James Davies graduated from the University of Oxford in 2006 with a DPhil in...
Appeal to Board of Health to Ban ECT in Ontario
In January of 1984 seven members of the Ontario Coalition to Stop Electroshock, three psychiatrists,...
The WHO Calls for Radical Change in Global Mental Health
During the past decade, the World Health Organization has regularly promoted the goal of improving...
“Global Psychiatry’s Crisis of Values”
American psychiatrist Awais Aftab, leads the series 'Conversations in Critical Psychiatry' for Psychiatric Times. His...
Will We Wake for Pity’s Sake
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. While antidepressants, and...
News
Canada is getting a mental health and addictions ministry. https://www.thestar.com/politics/2021/10/26/trudeau-appoints-mental-health-and-addiction-minister-to-new-cabinet.html
Mary Simon, Inuk leader from Kuujjuaq, Nunavik, has been chosen as the 30th governor general of Canada.
Noel Milliea, a Mi’kmaw elder, has decades of experience helping people see their culture as a means of healing from trauma, addiction, and systemic racism.
751 unmarked graves have been found at the site of the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan. The school, which opened in 1899, was active until 1997.
The remains of 215 children were found on the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, BC. In the wake of the discovery, and to honour the children, David Monture has written a poem, The Mush Hole Rubric.
In the wake of the discovery of the 215, many are calling for accountability. Listen to an interview on The Current with Matt Galloway.
COVID-19 Resources
We want to hear about non-medical, non-pathologising resources that can help us all survive the COVID-19 crisis. If you’ve got something to share, reach out to us at info@madincanada.org
New on Mad in America
Ethical Concerns Over Telehealth Screenings for Psychiatric Hospitalizations
Getting Pharma Out of Medical Education: An Interview with Dr. Adriane Fugh-Berman
‘Prescripticide’: Short Film by ISEPP
Discourse, Drug Use, and Psychiatry: An Interview with Critical Psychologist Ilana Mountian
Modern Psychiatry’s Allure: It Tells People What They Want to Hear
My Letter to an Advocate for Involuntary Treatment
Psychosis in US Inseparable from Racism and Structural Inequality, Researchers Argue
Mental Health Liberation and Spirituality: Ex-Psychiatric Inmates Share Their Thoughts
Can Performative Counter-Storytelling Facilitate Critical Social Change?
Joint Statement on COVID-19 and Persons with Psychosocial Disabilities
Mental Health Survival Kit, Chapter 4: Withdrawing from Psychiatric Drugs (Part 3)
Philosophical Approach to Loneliness Yields new Insight into Treatments
Mutual Support in an Age of Social Distancing
Jyl Ion: Awakening as a Medium
Other Resources
A list of groups and resources that you may find helpful. Let us know of other resources that we should consider adding. Contact us by email: info@madincanada.org. Thanks!
Mad in America – Mad in America’s mission is to serve as a catalyst for rethinking psychiatric care in the United States (and abroad).
The Council for Evidence-Based Psychiatry – CEP exists to communicate evidence of the potentially harmful effects of psychiatric drugs to the people and institutions in the UK that can make a difference.
A Disorder 4 Everyone – Exploring the culture of psychiatric diagnosis – creating change. Provides events, blogs and other resources.
Drop the Disorder (Facebook) – a group for anyone who is interested in challenging traditional approaches to emotional distress.
Intervoice – The International Hearing Voices Network and HVN Canada & Quebec – If you hear voices, HVN can help and is committed to helping people who hear voices. HVN offers information, support and understanding to people who hear voices and those who support them.
International Society for Psychological and Social Approaches to Psychosis (UK) – ISPS UK is the United Kingdom network of the International organisation ISPS – International Society for Psychological and Social Approaches to Psychosis. ISPS works to promote greater knowledge of the different psychological approaches to psychosis and psychotic experiences – psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, arts-based, family and holistic approaches – and their better integration with each other and with pharmaceutical approaches.
The Inner Compass Initiative and Withdrawal Project – provides information, resources, tools, and connecting platforms to facilitate more informed choices regarding all things “mental health”.
International Institute for Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal – Supports the process of reducing and withdrawing from psychiatric drugs through practice, research and training.
MindFreedom International – A not-for-profit human rights organization that unites sponsor and affiliate grassroots groups with individual members.
The Power Threat Meaning Framework – Towards the identification of patterns in emotional distress, unusual experiences and troubled or troubling behaviour, as an alternative to functional psychiatric diagnosis.
A free-to-use guide to the healing of psychological trauma is available. It comprises information, approaches to healing and resources together with links to selected clinicians, organisations, projects and support groups. Download the pdf here: Healing Psychological Trauma