What’s to appreciate about mental health services in Lane County? What needs to be changed, and why?

At the next Opal meeting (free and open to the public) you can hear ideas about that topic from a panel of workers on the front lines of our crisis system! There will be lots of time to ask questions, and to bring up your ideas about possible improvements.

Panelists Include: • Janet Perez, PeaceHealth Emergency Dept.;  • Michelle McCallahan, Cahoots • Hourglass Community Crisis Center

 Co-Facilitators: Chuck Areford and Deirdre Rose

We hope you join us for this important discussion – and bring a friend!

Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Time: 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Where: Trauma Healing Project,
1100 Charnelton St., Eugene, OR

You can download a copy of the flyer for this event at this link. Please do help spread the word!

What is it like to be someone who has lived experience with a mental/emotional disorder, who is now working in the mental health system as a peer support worker?

In this meeting, a panel of local peer support specialists will share their ideas about the role peer support can have in transforming the mental health system to promote recovery in a more sustainable and client-directed way.

Panelists Will Include:

• Tracey Dumas
• Christina Peirsol
• Megan Swan

Come join us for this free presentation, followed by question and answer, and discussion!

Date: Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Time: 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Where: Trauma Healing Project,
1100 Charnelton St., Eugene, OR

You can download a copy of the flyer at this link.

Seven years ago, Eric was diagnosed “schizophrenic.” Eric faced a critical choice ─ whether to comply with traditional mental health treatment or follow his own path to wellness. Eric’s doctors medicated him against his will. After years of psych meds, Eric wants to refuse drugs he believes may harm him. What happens next will move you.

“A courageous documentary… fair, balanced, and committed to the truth.”  -Bruce Levine, Huffington Post, AlterNet, MadinAmerica

This is a FREE event. Discussion will follow the film, including with psychiatric survivor David Oaks, who is interviewed in the movie. Please come and join us, and share your views! Arrive early, space is limited.

Where: LILA Peer Support Club,  990 Oak St., Eugene

Date: Tuesday, January 30, 2018         Time: 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

With extraordinary access, the new film CRAZY explores both sides of the story. Eric, his father and his attorney argue passionately for Eric’s right to make his own medical decisions. The County’s evaluating psychologist and social worker show us how and why they feel forced treatment is necessary. An observant camera enables us to witness the unpredictable trajectory of Eric’s journey: His decision to refuse meds. His appeal in court. Being locked on a psych floor after being picked up by police. Hiding out. Being taken away to a state mental hospital. Deteriorating during a family therapy session. And, spoiler alert, finally the solution that eventually enables Eric to graduate from college. Eric claims the recovery and a measure of the autonomy he so desperately craves.

The Opal Network, and ISPS-US Presents:

CRAZYWISE

A feature-length documentary film

What if a psychological crisis was seen as having the potential to be a positive transformative experience, instead of a “broken brain”?

Human-rights photographer Phil Borges witnessed how indigenous cultures around the world often identify “psychotic” symptoms as an indicator of shamanic potential.

Back in the US, Phil follows two young Americans diagnosed with “mental ill-ness.” Adam, 27, suffers devastating side effects from medications before embracing meditation. Ekhaya, 32, survives several suicide attempts before spiritual training to become a traditional South African healer.

CRAZYWISE introduces mental health professionals and psychiatric survivors who see a psychological crisis as a potential growth experience, not a disease.

Discussion will follow the film.  Please come and join us, and share your views!  This is a FREE event.

Where: Bascom-Tykeson Room, Eugene Public Library

Date: Thursday 07/6/17

Time: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Featuring local experts, video clips by international leaders in the Hearing Voices movement, and your questions and comments!

Did you know that:

• Lots of people hear voices who don’t have a mental disorder
• When people do have problems with voices, it’s often because they haven’t learned how to handle them
• Voices commonly emerge in response to life problems, and if listened to, offer clues about those problems and how to resolve them
• All over the world, people are forming groups to discuss voices and other less usual experiences, and are sharing new ideas about how to handle them
• A new, free Hearing Voices support group is starting in Eugene, it will meet 1^st Thursday of the month, more at http://www.differentminds.us/eshv/

Please come and join us, and share your views!  Drinks and snacks will be provided.
Where: Tykeson Room, Eugene Public Library

Date: Tuesday 05/31/16

Time: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Download a poster for this event here.

The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act (H.R. 2646), aka Murphy Bill, is a “mental health reform” currently being considered by Congress. Learn why many with “lived experience” of mental health crisis are disturbed by this bill and its potential to reduce human rights: there will be a presentation by Chrissy Peirsol and Drake Ewbank of the Lane County Consumer Survivor Council, followed by questions and discussion.

Please come and join us, and share your views! Drinks and snacks will be provided.

Note the revised location:  LILA Peer Club, 990 Oak St., Eugene

Date: Tuesday 03/29/16

Time: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Increasing numbers of people are being told they are “bipolar” and that their only route to health is to always take drugs to control the symptoms. But is that always necessary? In this film (which won “best feature” at the Mad in America International Film Festival) we witness the story of one man, Ross, who found the psychiatric route put him into a “foggy, drug-induced haze” and who sought a different approach to healing.

Bipolarized weaves together a series of interviews with activists, psychiatrists and other psychiatric survivors who have challenged the status quo as well as recounts some of the alternative therapies Ross uses to maintain his mental, emotional and physical health. You can find more about Bipolarized at bipolarizedthemovie.com

Following the film, we will discuss the issues it raises and the implications for mental health treatment in our community.

Please come and join us, and share your views! Drinks and snacks will be provided.

Where: Where: Eugene Public Library – Tykeson Room

Date: Tuesday 1/12/16

Time: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

What are the differences in what various agencies have to offer in terms of mental health services? How do various agencies integrate options such as peer support (if they do provide that), and how does each attempt to be “trauma informed?” What does it take to get started with particular agencies – who is eligible, what is the process, is there a waitlist?

A number of agency representatives will be asked to respond to some questions proposed by the Opal Planning Group, then there will be time for you to speak out about your questions and concerns!

Please come and join us! Drinks and snacks will be provided.

Where: Where: Eugene Public Library – Tykeson Room

Date: Wednesday 9/30/15

Time: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm