Icaristas Jonah Bossewitch, Madigan Shive, and Will Hall were hosted by a local Icarus website member at the Bay Area John F. Kennedy University forum with clinical psychology graduate students on 2-07.

The discussion  ranged from the recent Zyprexa memos leak Will was involved in to how inspiring art and music can help keep your sanity in a world gone mad. At the end students asked "What advice do you have for graduate psychology students," and we discussed not getting isolated -- which can be deadly for holding on to your values. We also urged department faculty present to include critical mental health readings as required parts of the curriculum, especially Bradley Lewis and Robert Whitakers' books.

Our awesome radical psychologist host sent us this message after the event:

Thank you so much for coming out yesterday. It was amazing to have the ability to expose my classmates to the views of the radical mental health movement. . I am still glowing from both the event and the reaction from the students and faculty. Word got around fast about how wonderful the event was and many people came up to me afterwards letting me know that they are very interested in attending the next event we schedule. The classes afterward were interrupted by impromptu discussions about the event and the issues raised. There is even buzz about starting a group on campus. It was amazing.

You inspired many of those who attended to take a more active roll in mental health activism and to examine the stigmas and assumptions they have encountered around the idea of mental illness. One of my classmates who had no exposure to radical mental health ideas before is now considering focusing her thesis around some of the issues you focused on yesterday

I was not immune to being inspired. Since the event my mind has been racing about how to better incorporate my radical mental health views into my life, studies, and future.

Yah! Let's shake up the universities!