Mental Health Youth Bill of Rights:
THE TIME FOR YOUTH VOICE IS NOW!
As a part of the 2009 Portland National Youth Summit, young adult leaders from across the United States drafted a Mental Health Youth Bill of Rights. Their vision is that this Mental Health Youth Bill of Rights will be adopted by organizations such as Youth MOVE and SAMHSA and clearly displayed in every doctor's office, counseling center, and organization that services youth, ages 14-25, with mental health needs. In an effort to strengthen this document, Youth Summit participants are asking for additional feedback and support from anyone involved in the mental health network – professionals, consumers, allies, etc. We look forward to hearing your thoughts and receiving your support!
We believe that all youth should have the following rights in their mental health care:
1) Youth have the right to be leaders of their psychiatric treatment plans.
Youth should be informed of the possible side effects of medications, how long recommended medications take to go into effect, and the possible long-term effects of recommended medication. Service providers should work with youth to explore possible alternatives to using psychiatric medication before medication is given. Communication between youth and all medical providers should be collaborative, clear, and with limited use of medical terminology.
2) Youth have the right to evaluate their mental health services.
Mental health counselors, social workers, psychologists, and other service providers should provide opportunities for youth to evaluate the satisfaction of their services throughout the duration of care in a respectful and non-threatening manner. This includes evaluation of the relationship with the provider, counseling plans, and implemented treatment models.
3) Youth have the right to service transitions that are as non invasive as possible.
When youth are transitioning into new services, mental health programs should strive to make the transition as accommodating as possible for the youth. Youth should be consulted on the ways they would like to end their relationship with the current provider and whether they would like the current provider to share their file with their new provider. Providers should share if there will be any changes in the costs of services and/or insurance coverage.
4) Youth have the right to trained, sensitive treatment providers.
Youth should have access to mental health professionals that are familiar with the unique needs and challenges of youth with mental health needs. All mental health professionals should have specialized training that fosters positive youth development and support. Youth mental health service consumers should be included in the creation and implementation of these trainings.
You can also experess your opinions about the Youth Bill of Rights by taking the Youth Summit survey.
Questions for Discussion:
- Overall, do you think young people need a Mental Health Bill of Rights?
- Are there any additions you believe should be made to this document? What are they?
- Are there any items that you believe should be omitted? Which one(s) and why?
- Are there any items you believe should be reworded or changed in some way? If so, how?
Your thoughts…
Comments:
 I had a chance to read your article about
Stigma or Stigmatization. After reading
and understanding the difference in the
terms, it open my eyes.
I prefer the term "stigmatization" instead
of "stigma". Stigma sounds prejudice to a
person of any mental or physical health.
Thank you,
Felicia White-Ford Posted Monday, January 25, 2010 at 06:48 PM
I feel that Mental Health issues dont last if you ignore them they go away if you pay extra attention to it then you have a problem. Human Brains are manipulated by people around and influences around if you dislocate those 2 . You get an adaptable brain, Humans adapt to whatever comes to them if you tell a child that he is crazy even if he is not he starts beliving it,So how do you get over traumatazing experiences by moving the person away from everything and anything that reminds him of that issue and he will forget! god says that if your with him and you belive in him your children and the children of your children for up to 4 generations will be saved and if your children are lost they will return to the circle of god. So first you have to be with god so that your children will be with him no matter were and no matter what. Only those who are not with god have mental health issues and their familys too read this.
When Demons Attack Your Mind
First, you have to gain some level of control, awareness, or inventory of the thoughts and ideas that are in your head. If you have an ?atom ? smasher mind? that is totally chaotic with all sorts of different discordant thoughts running back and forth, your mind is literally ripe to becoming a demonic playpen. Not only that, but a person having such a mind will find it very difficult to be productive in many areas of his or her life: for instance such a person will have a hard time starting projects, finishing them, keeping appointments, etc. Such a person will either not pay much attention to detail, or pay entirely too much attention and lose perspective.
While in some respects a chaotic mind can seem familiar, calming, and even highly entertaining to people (especially if they allow themselves to get caught up into violent and/or sexual fantasies that resemble the music, video games, magazines, movies, TV shows, Internet content, etc. that they consume) in reality you are putting a lot of stress on your mind (and your body), and the result is burnout. Remember: God?s way is order, Satan?s way is chaos. So, if you are struggling with an out ? of ? control mind (as I once did) you MUST subdue it so that it will be suitable for God to be master of it.
Yes, one of the things that people who have problems in this area must do is A) take on fewer activities B) get more rest and C) limit external influences. Quit working and socializing yourself to death. Get not only more sleep, but more quiet and sitting down time when you are awake. (Getting into a light exercise routine helps too ? it releases stress from your body AND your mind.) Reduce your TV, radio, and Internet time and increase your reading time. When you do consume TV, radio, and Internet, limit your activity to things that are soothing and edifying. Classical music, home improvement TV shows, why not?
Similar, your reading should be less oriented towards popular magazines and the newspaper, but the Bible, EDIFYING novels and such. One of the things that you should realize is that TV, Internet, video games, newspapers, and magazines have created minds that have short attention spans (which increases the chaos) and that are too lazy and untrained to exert the effort required to control it. But any Christian that is going to have any sort of real prayer life and Bible study habits, and who is going to have discernment is going to need to have control over his own mind.
Also, please realize that if YOU do not control your mind, OTHERS WILL. Right now it may be the government and corporate influences that bombard your mind through the media and culture, and the evil spirits that they empower. But make no mistake, in the future it WILL be the beast, the anti ? Christ. And I know that Scientology, Buddhism, Hinduism, New Age, and even some strands of ?Christianity? offer techniques for you to control your mind: auditing, ?mind exercises?, contemplative prayer, meditation, chanting, yoga, etc. What you are actually doing with these is giving full control over your mind to evil spirits that allow you to THINK that you are in control when the truth is that THEY are calling the shots. Instead of messing around with witchcraft and finding yourself bewitched, just obey what the Bible says. Find a quiet place. Get into God?s rest. And yes, Sabbaths are GREAT for resting the mind and body.
After your mind is under control (or while you are learning how to control it) then you will have to learn discernment. Out of all the thoughts, voices, and images in your mind, you will have to learn which ones were put there by you, which ones were put there by God, and which ones are demonic. Now to be honest, the only things that you should trust, follow, and allow to linger are the ones from God. You might want to entertain vanities concerning your own virtue, especially if you are saved, but Christians themselves ought to know that the Bible says that the heart is desperately wicked and deceitful of all things; who can know it (Jeremiah 17:9)?
So telling your own thoughts from demonic thoughts is useful in learning the depths of your own depravity; to what extent that you are still being ruled by your flesh. That does two things. 1) It lets you know the doors that you are opening to allow demons to enter and afflict you. 2) It lets you know how much your mind needs to be renewed by the workings of the Holy Spirit (please know that you cannot renew your mind on your own with works; only faith in and submission to God will accomplish this). Also, if the thought is your own, spiritual deliverance will not work, but rather will not only be an unproductive waste of time but will also confuse and discourage you when it does not work.
While you are still learning how to spiritually monitor your own thoughts, an easy test can be applied: ?Does this thought violate the Ten Commandments?? (In order for this to work, you must memorize the Ten Commandments, which a shocking percentage of Christians have not done.) There are other obvious things, such as whether it is a violent or sexual fantasy or thoughts of plotting harm or revenge to someone, but the Ten Commandments are more than good enough to start off until one?s knowledge of scripture is strong enough.
And once you are fully aware that a voice or image inside your head is NOT from God and NOT from you, then the only other option is demons. Even memories: demons have the ability to dredge up stuff to tempt or torment you. As a matter of fact, there is even a type of demon called a ?memory recall demon.? So, you CANNOT entertain the thoughts or the demons that send them. You CANNOT try to justify, rationalize, figure out, etc. the thoughts. You MUST IMMEDIATELY RESIST THE DEMONS AND TELL THEM TO LEAVE YOUR MIND USING THE NAME AND POWER OF JESUS CHRIST. Now realize this: only people who have made Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior have this power. If you have not, take care of it right now so that you can begin reclaiming your mind.
You must speak to the demons out loud, even if only in a whisper (which helps if you are around other people). Say something after the effect of ?Evil spirit, I know that?s you, and that you are nothing but a liar and a corrupter with no power, and no right to my mind because it is owned, protected, and covered by the One True God. In the Name of Jesus Christ, I command you to go from my mind, and in the Name of Jesus Christ I bind you from returning!? Now you do not have to repeat exactly that every single time. As a matter of fact, if you repeat something from memory, it will only be ritualistic legalism, not spiritually warring from your heart to make it real, and will block the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, coming up with something new and unique each time can be confusing, tiring, and time ? consuming.
So just remember these five points: 1) tell the demon that you know that it is there, 2) tell the demon that it has no right to be there, 3) tell the demon to leave, 4) forbid it from coming back, and 5) back your command (it is not bargaining, a request, or demand but a COMMAND, as demons are to have no choice or say in the matter) with the Name, Blood, Power, and Authority of Jesus Christ.
This is how you resist demons that are attacking your mind, and the Bible says ?resist the devil and he will flee from you.? Now do not be surprised if the demons (and the attacks on your mind) do not go away immediately. As a matter of fact, when you first start doing this they will fight back very hard in order to convince you that demons are not real, spiritual warfare is not real, and that you are grasping at straws following false doctrine.
Further, some demons that attack your mind are quite powerful (and those are the ones that come your way to hinder you from doing something that God wants you to do, from receiving a message from the Lord, or from being able to concentrate and comprehend when you are trying to read your Bible), and some are quite simply stubborn. So, you will have to keep saying it until they are gone. It also helps to quote scripture from memory, or read scripture until they are gone.
Now this point is often used as an accusatory point by Christians who do not believe in overt spiritual warfare, and teach you that at the moment of salvation you are forever freed from all evil spirits and demonic attack. Their point is that this and other techniques commonly used by charismatic Christians in spiritual warfare is highly repetitious, which not only is sinful but a way of dealing in witchcraft and evil spirits in and of itself. In a sense, they are actually correct, because a great many strands of false Christianity teach you to chant things (including the Name of Jesus Christ or some Bible verse) over and over again until you achieve some desired effect, including but not limited to speaking in tongues, shouting, etc. Look, as someone who came out of a witchcraft form of false ?charismatic Christianity?, I am very much aware of these concerns.
But what these very sincere Christians ? the vast majority of whom love God very much and are exceptionally aggrieved at their brothers and sisters in Christ being deceived by false doctrines and practices ? are forgetting that the key element in demonic rituals is A LOSS OF MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL CONTROL. That is why Paul gave strict guidelines for charismatic activity in the church: following Paul?s guidelines means that a person is mentally and emotionally aware, conscious, and in control of his own actions (meaning that the ?slain in the spirit? nonsense is precisely what Paul was commanding that we should avoid).
When engaging in spiritual warfare, you should NEVER surrender mental, emotional, or physical control at any time for any reason. (We were encouraged to ?lose control? in the church that I grew up in; maintaining control was called ?hindering the spirit? ? they did not tell us that the only spirits that were being ?hindered? were evil ones.) At all times you should be conscious of what you are doing, what you are saying, and why you are saying it.
That is why it does help to switch to a different Bible verse or change the words or sequence of words that you are using when you are commanding a demon to leave. You must remain calm and at ease, not getting nervous or pacing the floor, not allowing the lies or images that the demons will confront you with disturb you. This is where faith, patience, and unconditional love will reign supreme in order to keep you in control of the situation so that God will remain in control of YOU. Have faith that spiritual warfare is real; have faith that God has given you the power and authority to command all evil spirits to leave your body, mind, and presence.
Mark 16:17 says ?And these signs shall follow them that believe: IN MY NAME shall they cast out devils.? The Word of God is not a liar, fellow Christians. Rather, it is false doctrines and false teaching from well ? meaning Christians that causes you to disbelieve and not act against these evil spirits that are tormenting you.
thats were your mental health is! be with god and you will be healed Posted Friday, January 15, 2010 by hopethishelps at 03:51 AM
As one of the youth who worked on this document I am glad that PSU is spreading some light on it.
One of the best things that came out of the conference! Posted Monday, November 16, 2009 at 03:49 PM
Way to go everyone! Great work, great campaign, lead
on. I got my start in youth rights, and I was a teenage
psychiatric inmate, so this does my heart good. I
direct MindFreedom International, an independent
nonprofit that works on many of these issues. For
information just google MindFreedom International.
Let us know how we can support getting out the word
about this. Posted Thursday, November 12, 2009 by David W. Oaks, Director, MindF at 07:06 AM
I think this is a great idea and agree on all points mentioned. I would also say that Youth should be granted the right to be fully informed of their diagnosis, the symptoms they show, and the ramifications of the condition to their lives and relationships. I know that when I was diagnosed, I had to educate myself on my conditions and struggled to understand what they meant to my life and relationships with others.
Posted Wednesday, November 11, 2009 by We're all in this together... at 09:36 PM
I think this is a first step towards youth & adults viewing & ackowledging mental health issues openly & honestly & without shame, stigma, or feelings of negativity. Kids with these types of issues need to be empowered & heard more than anybody....I know, I was one. Posted Friday, November 6, 2009 by sarah at 11:30 AM
As an educator and an advocate for individuals with emotional or mental health disorders; I thrive on seeing them independent, self-determined, and resourceful, but the decisions made in their life must be theirs. I support the Bill of Rights draft, sll too often their voices are lost in the mix of another' discussion of what to do. .or . .how to fix things.
I am at a school where the principal cares, attempts to educate the staff and faculty, and expects much more of me as an advocate than any other previously. We are on the cutting edge of things to happen for everyone who can use these rights to enhance their life.
Some caution is recommended, because youth in transition need to be trained and educated as to how to carry their voice so not to make immature decisions or choices that are not knowledgeable. Therefore, we need tons of mentors who can remove the top down discussions and encourage a friendly exchange of information.
So, from way over here in Minnesota; Your efforts are being applauded as well. Keep the vision.
Jean W. Kronebusch
Special Education Teacher
Lewiston-Altura High School
Lewiston, MN 55952 Posted Monday, October 26, 2009 at 05:56 PM
Great, and about time! However, since this isn't my field of expertise I may be out of line here, but shouldn't there be something included to confirm that counselor-youth services are confidential, even to parents and caregivers? Looking back on my own childhood, that would have been the most important point for me. Had I known that conversations were private, or private if I do not consent otherwise, I'd have tried harder in therapy. I'm aware that youth don't always enjoy the protections adults do, so even if it is the case that counselor-youth sessions are confidential, the youth themselves may not know that. Just a thought... Posted Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 12:00 PM
I think this is fantastic. As a parent of a young adult with a diagnosis I know once I accepted the fact that he needed to make his own choice and have a voice in his treatment and education, this is when I saw him grow the most! I wish there had been more information and more youth voice in our community so I could have come to this realization sooner. As manager of our community's family resource center (funded and housed with a children's mental health provider) I would like to know when I can post this bill of rights and start encouraging our parents and professionals to honor it. Posted Friday, September 18, 2009 at 11:35 AM
As a provider of mental health services for nearly 30 years and a parent of 2 children with bipolar disorder, this is far overdue. I would like to add another feature. As children and adolescents with any kind of mental health issue are a most overlooked and misunderstood population in the school system where they spend the most time, every school that receives public assistance should be required to have one person who has had extensive training in childhood mental health disorders, and the varieties of treatments which include least invasive methods as well as nutrition and vitamin therapies as possible adjuncts to medication treatments. Those people who are trained can be used both as a reference and as an advocate for these kids. Too often these kids drop out of school or are marginalized to the point that they attempt, and too often are sucessful at suicide.
Parents of behaviorally different kids are often at odds with school officials who make no attempt to understand their kids disorders and instead blame them ( the parents) for "not setting boundaries, or enabling them to act differently". This sets up a hostile environment for education and not people mutually working towards actually educating youth our most precious resource in America Posted Monday, July 20, 2009 at 12:19 PM
The concept of trained adult peers assisting the youth to put in place a psychiatric advanced directive should be included in the first bullet. Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 08:09 PM
Any thoughts of addressing the right to refuse treatment? I would think this could be very different for a 14 year old as opposed to a 25 year old. I'm sure legal authority varies by state but perhaps could be included. Posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Number three might need some tweaking. The sharing of information may be neccessary.. so if a youth said I don't want my file transfered to the new service provider and there is critical information regarding Medication reactions or other things.
Over all I think this is fabulous and needed. Posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 09:52 AM
I like the idea of the Bill of Rights for transitional age youth. I have been working exclusively with 16-25 year olds who are DMH clients for several years. I have been a Young Adult Case Manager for DMH since DMH rolled out it's Initiative's and Trainings specifically for Young Adults. I have worked in DMH for bothe the adult side and the children's side. I voluntered to be a TRANSITIONAL AGE CASE MANAGER as I have spent time in both systems of care and know first hand the EXTREME OBSTACLES THAT THESE YOUNG PEOPLE FACE. All of my time and energy goes into connecting with the youth and the families and all other aspects of the communities where they live ;Courts, Hospitals, vocational and educational resources, Special education Schools and Main Stream schools for the Seven Towns that I cover. I run anger management and social skill biulding groups for these young Adults.I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT 14-25 IS THE MOST STIGMATIZED AND DISEMPOWERED POPULATION IN THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM. THE YOUTH VOICE IS THE KEY TO HELP RE-STRUCTURE AND CHANGE SERVICES IN THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM. NOW IS THE TIME TO UNITE YOUNG ADULTS AND THOSE WHO SERVICE THEM AND BEGIN A JOURNEY TOWARDS RECOVERY THAT IS VERY LONG OVERDUE.
THANK YOU FOR THIS CHANCE TO RESPOND TO THIS EXCITING NEWS.
ED CURLEY,L.M.H.C.
TRANSITIONAL AGE CASE MANAGER
METRO NORTH SITE OFFICE
781-224-7923 Posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 06:25 AM
Great! When can we move it out of draft and start using it? Posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 05:25 AM
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