The Mental Health System1 uses its authority of violence to take away my freedom in the name of care.  Doctors spread the idea that time spent in nonordinary states of consciousness causes brain damage.  I reject this.  I was involuntarily hospitalized under the Mental Health Act, and forced to take medications, else be held down and injected with them.  For now, I reject meds.  I will continually reevaluate this decision. 

I'm asking if you are interested in being a part of a network of people that I can access when I reach out for help.  

Are you a safe person?  Will you respect agreements that we come to together with regards to when and how to intervene; when and how to communicate with people who show concern or work in the care profession; when and how to use emergency (9-1-1); interactions with me and personal boundaries?  I will be directing these agreements.  Can you trust me with myself? 

This role may not suit you.  You may not be comfortable with allowing me exist in nonordinary states of consciousness for long periods of time.  Not being able to connect with me on levels you are accustomed to with me may be too disturbing for you to be involved.  Perhaps you trust that psychiatrists' prescriptions certainly are the best course for me.  Perhaps you don't agree with strategically selective2 communication with care professionals or family members.  You may think that the systems already in place are most appropriate for me.  

This is an opportunity for me to gain the support I would like in my life journey that is lacking in the current system of care that has been assigned to me.  I will not go back to the hospital"s psychiatric ward voluntarily. 

This is not an opportunity for you to further your own interests, values or agenda with me.  I have a lot of anger for my experience with the psychiatric system.  I am also hopeful and committed to creating an environment where I can come through my experiences without coercion. 

If you are ready, willing and able to be a part of my support network, please reply.  I'd like to set up a time where this team of people can meet with each other and me.  We can further discuss our agreements, limits, thoughts, ideas! etc.  Thank you kindly. 

Endnotes 

1 

 psychiatric wards in hospitals; psychiatrists; mental health teams, including case managers, occupational therapists, nurses, psychiatrists, employment counsellors, trauma resource workers, receptionists; 9-1-1- emergency response ambulance attendants and police of?cers with handcuffs and guns; the laws in place ie. the Mental Health Act that our government supports; mental health drop-ins; family and friends that trust and use its services 

2 

 Part of the criteria for me to be certi?ed (see de?nition below) under the Mental Health Act is that I am assessed to require supervision or control in or through a hospital to prevent my substantial mental or physical deterioration or for my own protection or the protection of others.  I do not have to be dangerous.  

“Protection” means more than bodily harm and can relate to my social, family, vocational and ?nancial life. 

Being certi?ed means I am being detained as an involuntary patient: 1) I can be given treatment, including medication, against my will.  2) I am subject to the direction and supervision of hospital staff. 3) I cannot leave the hospital without the permission of the doctor treating me. 

Due to the risk of being certi?ed, which I consider unnecessary, unethical and undesirable, communication with care professionals and family members will be restricted to that which prioritizes my freedom from certification.