Behaviorism and Mental Health

Alternative perspective on psychiatry's so-called mental disorders | PHILIP HICKEY, PH.D.

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Murphy’s Mental Health Bill

December 16, 2013 By Phil Hickey | 14 Comments

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It is no secret that pharma-psychiatry has come under considerable criticism in recent years.  In general, they do not respond to these criticisms, but instead they continue to beat the same old drum:  mental illness is becoming increasingly prevalent; we need more mental health screenings; we need more funding for “treatment”; and we need wider coercive powers to ensure that these sick people take their drugs.  They are also using the school shootings to generate alarm about “untreated” mental illness, and are calling in support from various quarters, including politicians.

On December 12, U.S. Representative Tim Murphy presented a bill in the House that will, if passed, promote more coercive tactics in the mental health field.  It would also weaken clients’ rights, including their rights to privacy and confidentiality.

The National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery (NCMHR) is a psychiatric survivors’ advocacy organization.  They have today issued an action alert asking those of us on this side of the debate to oppose the bill, and to spread the word.  In particular, they ask that we phone our political representatives either today (Monday) or tomorrow (Tuesday) and encourage them not to co-sponsor or support the bill.

If you live in the US, please help block this regressive measure.  Please take a look at NCMHR’s notice, and phone your representative.  It’s important that we take this step quickly to prevent the bill garnering additional co-sponsors.  We can write detailed letters later.  The NCMHR’s notice provides information on how to contact your representative, etc…

Please help spread the word.  In politics, numbers count!

 

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Filed Under: A Behavioral Approach to Mental Disorders Tagged With: survivors of psychiatry

About Phil Hickey

I am a licensed psychologist, presently retired. I have worked in clinical and managerial positions in the mental health, corrections, and addictions fields in the United States and England. My wife Nancy and I have been married since 1970 and have four grown children.

 

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The phrase "mental health" as used in the name of this website is simply a term of convenience. It specifically does not imply that the human problems embraced by this term are illnesses, or that their absence constitutes health. Indeed, the fundamental tenet of this site is that there are no mental illnesses, and that conceptualizing human problems in this way is spurious, destructive, disempowering, and stigmatizing.

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The purpose of this website is to provide a forum where current practices and ideas in the mental health field can be critically examined and discussed. It is not possible in this kind of context to provide psychological help or advice to individuals who may read this site, and nothing written here should be construed in this manner. Readers seeking psychological help should consult a qualified practitioner in their own local area. They should explain their concerns to this person and develop a trusting working relationship. It is only in a one-to-one relationship of this kind that specific advice should be given or taken.

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