Call to Action: Help Expose Psychiatric Violence

This call to action carries the weight of difficult experiences.  As an Alliance, we are committed to exposing and dismantling coercive, institutional psychiatric systems of "care" and celebrating the lives of all those who have been subjected to their harm.

To do this, we need your voice.

We have seen patterns of experiences within psychiatric institutions in the Chicago area and across Illinois.  These patterns include involuntary commitment, restriction of rights, coercive behaviors, forced drugging, and related injustices. We are specifically inviting testimonials documenting these and similar experiences.

We understand that sharing such experiences can bring up pain and trauma. We honor the courage it takes to speak out and are deeply grateful to those who choose to share. We also fully respect and support those who cannot share at this time—there is no shame in protecting your well-being.

We want to be clear:

• No question on the form requires a response.

• The form is anonymous unless you choose to share your name. 

• You are free to share as little or as much as you feel comfortable.

• We will treat all testimonials with the utmost respect and care for the person who has been harmed.

• We are sincerely sorry for what has happened to you.

   

Your stories will be part of an upcoming campaign to bring awareness to the reality of psychiatric violence and to advocate for a world where mad lives are honored and respected.

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Caring for Yourself While Sharing
We know that revisiting these experiences can be difficult, so we encourage you to take care of yourself in the following ways:

• Fill out the form with someone you trust. Having support nearby can help ground you.

• Take breaks as needed. You don’t have to complete the form in one sitting.

• Use grounding techniques. Deep breathing, sensory items, or comforting routines can help.

• Give yourself permission to stop. You do not owe anyone your story if it feels too painful.

• Connect with your community. Sharing with those who understand your experience can make a difference.

• Reach out to any member of the Alliance for individualized help connecting to supports in your community. 

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If you are a friend, family member, therapist, or other support person who has supported someone while they were either voluntarily or involuntarily psychiatrically hospitalized and suffered from an injustice, coercion, or other harm, and you wish to provide testimony, you are also welcome to submit a testimony and we thank you for standing with us. 

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Thank you for considering this call, The Mental Health Autonomy Alliance