Robert Whitaker in Portland

Robert Whitaker, author of Anatomy of an Epidemic and Mad in America, will be in Portland on Thursday night.

Could our drug-based paradigm of psychiatric care be fueling a modern-day plague of mental illness? What would a truly humane mental health system look like?

Acclaimed science journalist, Robert Whitaker's, controversial book "Anatomy of an Epidemic" has inspired people across the country to question present psychiatric practices and initiate major reforms. On Thursday, February 10, 2011, Whitaker and a panel of mental health providers and peers will share their perspectives and plans to create a more compassionate mental health system in Oregon and across the nation.

The panel will include:

Robert Whitaker, author, "Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America"

Beckie Child, Director of the Mental Health America of Oregon

Cindi Fisher, Movement of Mothers Standing - Up -Together: Taking Back Our Children ( The M.O.M.S. Movement )

Chris Gordon, Assistant professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, Medical Director of Mental Health Advocacy.

Will Hall, Portland therapist and national leader in Peer Recovery

Gina Nikkel, Director of the Oregon Association of Community Mental Health Programs

RETHINKING PSYCHIATRY: MOVING MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY FORWARD/ --A community forum
Thursday, February 10, 2011
The First Unitarian Church of Portland
1011 SW 12th, Portland OR

Reception
5:00pm-6:45pm
Keynote speaker Robert Whitaker and panel
7:00pm-9:00pm

$5-$20 donation (no one turned away for lack of funds)
Childcare is available.