The Best (and Worst) That Mood-Tech Can Be
When Ontario was first placed under lockdown in March 2020, I, like many other psych-service users found myself relying on Skype and phone sessions...
The Ethics of Psychiatry
A government cannot legitimately own its citizens' bodies. Yet, under British Columbia’s (BC) Mental Health Act the BC government, not to mention governments around...
Announcing Oral History Collection on Mental Health Activists in Manitoba
Stories are us. Finding ourselves in history, we figure out who we are and where we belong and how what we do fits with...
Benzodiazepines in Canada: Is a Withdrawal Crisis Looming?
On February 15th, Radio-Canada’s Enquête aired ‘Cauchemar sur ordonnance’ (translation: Nightmare on prescription), a documentary about the dangers of benzodiazepines and z-hypnotics.
Enquête’s description:
Des pilules...
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,...
In Memoriam: Paula Joan Caplan
Paula Caplan, a prolific writer, playwright, and social activist, who for decades was one of the most prominent critics of psychiatry and its diagnoses,...
Electroconvulsive Therapy …. What does Canada have to say?
Electroconvulsive Therapy, also known as ECT, shock therapy, and electroshock, is a psychiatric treatment that uses electricity to induce a seizure in the person...
Part 3: Neuro-authenticity, neuro-identities, and the neuro-industry
This is Part 3 of the four-part series on neurodiversity that is being jointly published by Mad in America and Mad in the UK....
Richard Bilkszto: The man who finally wakes up employers to the dangers of workplace...
Richard Bilkszto was a principal with the Toronto District School Board. He died by suicide on July 13th. He was just 60 years old.
According...
MAID and Mental Illness: An interview with Dr. Jeffrey Kirby
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) became legal in Canada in June 2016.
In October 2020, Bill C-7: An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical...
Bell Let’s Talk: Are These “New Conversations” Helpful?
January 26th is Bell Let’s Talk Day. From the Bell Let’s Talk website:
"In September 2010, Bell Let’s Talk began a new conversation about Canada’s...
New Canadian Benzodiazepine Documentary – AIRS FEBRUARY 15th!
Radio-Canada's Enquête presents "Cauchemar Sur Ordonnance" (Season 17: Episode 17)
The episode's title translates to 'prescription nightmare' in French, and it will focus on the...
Review of “Beyond Reason. Chronicle of a personal experience of madness”
This book review is reprinted from Mad in Argentina. ‘Beyond reason’, with a foreword by RD Laing, was published in 1964 and describes the...
When Tapering Antidepressants, is Going Slow Always the Best Strategy?
I start this blog with an apology. There may be people reading who, like myself, look back with frustration and despair that they cannot...
887 Deaths from Psychoactive Meds Reported to Health Canada in 2021
I guess I started seriously considering the potential of antipsychotics to kill after I lost my friend Cameron. Cameron Fray was a husband, father...
Part 4 Neurodiversity: New paradigm or Trojan Horse?
This is Part 4 of the four-part series on neurodiversity that is being jointly published by Mad in America and Mad in the UK....
Good-bye to Christy Huff, MD
On March 5th the Benzodiazepine Information Coalition announced the death of Dr. Christy Huff, MD.
Christy was a cardiologist and the Benzodiazepine Information Coalition's Medical...
Personality disorders? Please, tell us what you really think.
This week on Twitter, there was an uproar in response to a UK Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPUK) advertisement for a course on ‘personality...
Liquids and Tapering Strips: Formulations in Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal
On June 28th, The International Institute for Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal (IIPDW) is hosting a webinar.
Liquids & Tapering Strips: Formulations in Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal
The what,...
FROM CBC NEWS: Ont. doctors’ college orders Toronto pediatrician to undergo ‘further education’ on...
Woman who suffered severe withdrawal symptoms should not have been prescribed it, assessor finds
Tara Carman, journalist with CBC news writes:
The College of Physicians and...
BBC Panorama – The Antidepressant Story
On June 19 2023, the BBC's Panorama aired a new documentary: The Antidepressant Story.
From the BBC website:
In the UK, around one in seven now...
THIS WEEKEND! Neuroplasticity: A Path for Healing from Protracted Withdrawal Symptoms
From Mad in America - this Weekend!
A panel on recovering from protracted psychiatric drug withdrawal using neuroplasticity, featuring inspiring stories and useful strategies.
Saturday August...
“Empire of Normality: neurodiversity and capitalism” a review: The Empire Has No Clothes
From Mad in the UK: In his book Empire of Normality, UK philosopher Robert Chapman, who identifies as “proudly neurodivergent and disabled”, linked today’s...
Electroconvulsive Therapy Survey | John Read | Madness Radio
First Aired by Madness Radio on July 11, 2024
Survey of people who have had electroshock (electroconvulsive Therapy/ECT) – for patients, family, and friends.
John Read,...
Video Presentation – ‘The Science and Art of Coming Off Psychiatric Drugs’
Inner Compass Initiative is pleased to share a video recording of a recent live event.
‘The Science and Art of Coming Off Psychiatric Drugs’.
This video...
Shamanic Approaches to Dis-Ease: Working with the Whole Person
The shamanic practitioner approaches illness, or “dis-ease” from a spiritual perspective. The focus is not on treating a condition, but on working with the...
Will We Wake for Pity’s Sake
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. While antidepressants, and other psychotropic, mind altering medications, are designed to decrease...
SAVE THE DATE! IIPDW Conference
Save the Date!
On Friday October 20th and Saturday October 21st, the International Institute for Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal will hold its 3rd conference on withdrawal...
Research Study Opportunity – ECT
ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY (ECT)
RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR INTERNATIONAL ONLINE SURVEY
If you are at least 18 years old and have had ECT, other than the last...
Fernando de Freitas: A “Dear Friend” Who Was a Warrior for Radical Change
Written by Robert Whitaker and posted to Mad in America on February 3, 2023
Over the past decade, the call for radical change in psychiatry...