Rethinking Psychiatry Second Annual Symposium Focuses on Forced Drugging of Kids

The Second Annual Rethinking Psychiatry Symposium coming up this weekend focuses on psychotropic drugs and their use on children and the elderly in care facilities.

The event is at the First Unitarian Church of Portland, 1011 SW 12th. There is a suggested $5 - $20 donation, but no one is turned away for lack of funds, and no registration necessary. 

Featuring attorney Jim Gottstein, founder of the Psych Rights legal clinic, the event features a full slate of workshops and a resource fair.

The keynote talk is entitled "Addressing Psychotropic Drugs, Forced Medication, and Children." It's Friday, May 11, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Gottstein and a panel of professionals and peers will speak on the growing concern of the use of forced medication in the name of mental health care especially in children and the national movement to create a mental health care system that is more holistic, effective and humane.

On  Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gottstein leads a special session called "Renaming and Reclaiming Our Mental Health Story: Using Our Personal Journeys, Experiences and Legal Rights."

The session is about how psychiatric survivors can share journeys and experiences and work to develop action plans in support of mental health care treatment alternatives and of improving mental health rights in Oregon.

More resources and workshops are scheduled, and lunch will be provided by Occupy Portland.

Continuing Education Units CEU's are now available for licensed social workers and other health care workers who attend the symposium. Details below. 

For more information contact Marcia Meyers at 503-665-3957 or go to www.RethinkingPsychiatry.org