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Public Education & Policy :: Archive CNMHC News Alert, December 2001 Conference Participants Set Policy At the Client Forum 2001 Conference held on November 9 -11, 2001, California Network of Mental Health Clients' members made important public policy decisions. Endorse Core Recommendations The National Council on Disability (NCD) is an independent federal agency mandated to make recommendations to the President and Congress on Disability issues. On January 20, 2000, the NCD issued a report, "From Privileges to Rights," in which it endorsed Core Recommendations. The CNMHC membership voted to support two of these Core Recommendations as underlying principles to guide its public policy discussions. Following the direction of its members, the CNMHC Board also voted to support these Recommendations. Core Recommendations "Laws that allow the use of involuntary treatments such as forced and inpatient commitment should be viewed as inherently suspect, because they are incompatible with the principle of self-determination. Public policy needs to move in the direction of a totally voluntary community-based mental health system that safeguards human dignity and respects individual autonomy." "Public research and demonstration resources should place a higher priority on the development of culturally appropriate alternatives to the medical and biochemical approaches to treatment of people labeled with psychiatric disabilities, including self-help, peer support, and other consumer/survivor-driven alternatives to the traditional mental health system." New Public Policy Priorities The CNMHC has worked on Public Policy Priorities that have been developed over several years. Today they remain vital and ongoing concerns. The CNMHC membership voted to continue working on these priorities. In addition, the goal of the CNMHC is to continually refresh our public policy concerns, to add new ideas and keep growing in our interests and awareness. At Client Forum 2000, the membership brainstormed new public policy priorities. The results of this brainstorming session were itemized and sent out to the membership and distributed at Client Forum 2001. The members were asked to list in order of importance three public policy issues they wanted the CNMHC to add to its public policy priorities. The three most selected public policy priorities, in order of importance, were: Peer Support and Self-Advocacy Programs; For information about the CNMHC Public Policy Priorities or activities contact the CNMHC. California Network of Mental Health Clients |
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