Introductory Letter

July 20, 2006

Dear Mental Health Advocates: 

These are challenging times for those of us committed to progressive political & social changes.  Recent events have left many of us feeling uncertain about the future – confused, annoyed, and depressed.  As we have watched these events unfold, there seems to be a troubling sense that things at all levels are getting worse, not better, and a feeling that as individuals we are losing our ability to have an impact on the decisions that shape our lives and the lives of our children. 

For some, these feelings are pushing them to withdraw from their community, to seek comfort and strength in the advocacy work.  For others, these feelings require increased engagement, an even more committed effort to reach out and work with others in deliberate ways that empower us as individuals while fostering the sense of community building that is so desperately needed in these dark times.  We understand both the desire to withdraw and the desire to engage, and we have found ourselves wavering between the two.  However, as MH activists, we realize that to withdraw from the significant challenges of our time is a grave injustice to future generations.   Therefore, we have committed ourselves to creating opportunities for social justice and reform by focusing on mental health recovery, wellness and health.

Instead, we are choosing to recommit ourselves to engaging in the process of self governance and democratic participations as Co-Founders of Washington Mental Health Reform Coalition (WMHRC), and we are asking you to join us in this effort.  Enclosed are a WMHRC’s brochure and a business card for you learn more about us.  As you might expect, the entrenched special interests and their political MH agendas coalitions have gained much headway since 1998 and recently with the passage of MH Advance Directive bills in ’03 and MH Parity ’04 and now with PACT increased funding and Kendra’s Law ’07.  They cannot be the sole voice on mental health issues.  These coalitions, our opposition, have combined their political agendas.  They claim they provide mental illness voice, but in reality it is their own self-interests they are voicing.  We have a voice-our own without biases and without influences from any special interest groups.  Your participation in WMHRC will ensure that people with mental disabilities’ voices are heard with our interests, our concerns, our voice.

We believe that state government is perhaps the only level of government at which a single individual can still have a defined and visible impact.  We also believe that it is at the state level that we have the best opportunity to take actions that will ultimately lead to a more just, more secure, more healthy, and supporting future.  By joining Washington Mental Health Reform Coalition, you can be involved in our WMHRC Action Teams: Educational Teams, Legislative Teams, CAM Teams (Complementary, Integrative, and Alternative Mental Health Treatment), Legal Teams and Community Action Teams.  WMHRC will also have referral and resources services.  WMHRC’s primary objective is to have our Washington mental health system become more accountable and responsible with publicly funded programs.  Join us to create a true recovery model created by and for individuals with mental disabilities.  We are looking for our coalition members to give their endorsement for our publications and listings. 

We need friends like you!  Become a Friend of Washington Mental Health Reform Coalition.  If you know of anyone else, who might be interested in connecting with WMHRC, please let us know and help us spread the word. 

Warmly, Steve Pearce, Vonne Worth, Carole Willey

WMHRC Helping Build Our Recovery Community