SURVEY AFFIRMS NMHA'S CONSUMER BASE
MHAs are Leaders in Consumer/Survivor Movement
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (April 22, 1998) A whopping 97 percent of Mental Health Associations (MHAs) - affiliates of the National Mental Health Association - include mental health consumers and survivors in program planning and implementation, a new survey shows. NMHA's 330 affiliates employ more than 395 mental health consumers as paid staff. Countless other consumers serve as volunteers throughout the MHA network.
The survey points to the NMHA affiliate network as the number one employer of consumer/survivors among mental health advocacy organizations. Mental health consumers are people who use mental health services. Survivor is a term chosen by those who feel their rights were abridged while using the mental health treatment system.
"We have a significant place in the consumer/survivor movement because of the strong consumer participation in the Mental Health Association network," said MHA President and CEO Michael Faenza.
"Our founder, Clifford Beers, was a mental health consumer and an advocate. To this day, 89 years later, NMHA puts the needs of mental health consumers at the top of its agenda," Faenza said. "NMHA national staff, board, and affiliates all enjoy a strong consumer presence. We are living up to our vision that all people should be empowered to realize their full potential."
NMHA conducted the survey in anticipation of the "Coming Together in '98: MHAs and Consumers United in Leadership" conference June 6 - 10th in Crystal City, VA. The meeting is a joint conference of NMHA, its affiliates, and the National Mental Health Consumer's Self- Help Clearinghouse. It is another step in NMHA's progress in strengthening the consumer/survivor movement. (Continued) Consumer Credentials (Cont.)
Self-reports from 101 of NMHA's 330 affiliates show consumer involvement is a priority among NMHA affiliates. A further stratified sampling of 20 NMHA affiliates confirmed the survey data is representative of MHAs nationwide.
Findings of NMHA's survey of affiliates include:
l 82 percent of MHAs said consumers serve on their board of directors l About half of all affiliates have three or more consumers on their boards l One third of MHAs employ consumers
The survey also revealed that consumers' issues -- such as consumer involvement in system reform and policy planning -- are a high priority for MHAs. NMHA affiliates said the following consumer issues are important to them:
l Consumer involvement in mental health systems decision making l Mental health parity l Access to community-based services necessary for community integration l Rights issues (such as ADA issues) l Access to housing l Recovery and empowerment l Employment l Access to services l Participation in treatment planning
"I am proud that NMHA and its affiliates involve consumers in a such meaningful way," said Tom Leibfried, NMHA director of consumer advocacy and a leader in the consumer movement.
For more information on the survey, "Coming Together in '98," or to arrange interviews, contact Patrick Cody at: (703) 838-7528.
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