Written on the plane, heading to England...

"On the plane, flying over the Laborador Sea. It's -67 degrees F outside this pressurized, sterile, and ill-smelling vessel. Ashley and I are heading to England for eight days of learning and sharing and couch/squat surfing. This trip feels surreal--so quickly organized. I have walking pneumonia and I can't believe I'm actually going...It's my 25th birthday today and I'm in an airplane traveling timezones. Trippy shit...I'm slightly nervous about sustaining my energy for the trip and my level of mental functionality, as well. I'm eager to just be there and start talking to people. "

Now...I'm heading off to bed after our first day here...

"Today, an amazing radical feminist medic woman picked us up at the airport and brought us to her squat in Kensington. Astounded by the squatting situation and the laws that allow for it in the UK! Fantastic! The building is in the heart of a wealthy neighborhood, surrounded by a French embassador's home and wealthy American ex-pats. I was so grateful for a place to sleep in quiet today and for the amazing communal meal and conversation with housemates here. Tonight we made plans for the week, figured out an incredibly compicated train system, and prepared for tomorrow's day in London. I'm so tired and ready to crash from jetlag..."

I want to know about the UK:

What are the differences between US and UK psychiatric systems/diagnosis/medication pushing, etc.? (an especially curious about the difference btwn. socalized and private medical systems' effects...)

Are alternative therapies readily available? Prescribed for mental health? Affordable? (accupuncute, affordable therapy, herbs)

Social stigma related to mental illness/diagnosis/...#

Diagnostic standard? (i.e. we have DSMIV)...

Experiences, laws surrounding forced ETC, psych drugs, forced hospitalization 

Advertising/drug pushing in te UK