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...
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...
The Price of Breaking the Silence of Abuse: Dignity, Justice and Recovery
This piece was written by Laura López-Aybar and was originally published in Spanish on Mad in Puerto Rico
We live in a culture of silence,...
Queer and Trans Madness: Struggles for Social Justice
This book puts Mad Studies and activism in conversation with queer and trans activism and resistance. When I first came across what would eventually...
ECT Survey – Open until end of September!
The ECT Survey Opportunity is available until the end of September!
ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY (ECT)
RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR INTERNATIONAL ONLINE SURVEY
If you are at least 18...
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 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....
Wait, What? A Survivor’s Notebook
Diagnosis
I’ve got that thing where you ask yourself if you’re to scale in their world, or merely in yours.
Spiders
The ward is crawling with spiders....
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...
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...
Kassi’s Mom
Thank you for having me. I walk around angry, jaded and bitter. I am not religious but I have begged bargained and negotiated with...
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...
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...
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...
Part 2: Are we all neurodivergent nowadays?
This is Part 2 of the four-part series on neurodiversity that is being jointly published by Mad in America and Mad in the UK....
“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...
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....
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 mental health.” While it has often told of...
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...
Are Patients Being Paid to Provide Industry Endorsements?
Dr. Joel Lexchin is Professor Emeritus in the School of Health Policy and Management, Faculty of Health, York University. Dr. Lexchin's 2025 article, 'Information...
STAR*D UPDATES: Petition for Retraction of STAR*D Summary Article Submitted to AJP Editor Ned...
On September 9, 2023 (updated September 20, 2023) Mad in America published Robert Whitaker's MIA Report on the STAR*D fraudulent data scandal. Since then...
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...
“Detained: Rights of children and youth under the Mental Health Act”
On Jan. 19, 2021, B.C.’s Representative for Children and Youth published a scathing report on the rights of children and youth under the Mental...
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...
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,...
Stop the madness! An indictment against the abuses in Belgian and Dutch psychiatry
Published by Mad in the Netherlands
Brenda Froyen is an author, teacher and mental health activist. After two very traumatic experiences of isolation and restraint...
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...
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...
ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY (ECT) STUDY
RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR INTERNATIONAL ONLINE SURVEY
If you are at least 18 years old and have had ECT, other than the last 4 weeks,...
A Disorder for Everyone – Online Festival 2023
A Disorder for Everyone! - The Online Festival 2023
Friday September 22nd, 9am-8pm GMT
https://youtu.be/2Mlw_GTN17o?si=pDrPmpcwORIU_8Xc
This is a donation only event to ensure that it is as...