Mr. Michael D. Ostrolenk
Director of Government Affairs
Association of American Physicians and Surgeons
316 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E., suite 203
Washington, D.C. 20003
Dear Mr. Ostrolenk:
Thank you for your letter following up on our October 17 meeting. I
appreciated the opportunity to hear directly from you and the
representatives of the Alliance for Human Research Protection, EdWatch,
Eagle Forum, the International Center for the Study of Psychiatry and
Psychology, MindFreedom International, the Association of American
Physicians and surgeons, and the American Psychoanalytic
Association.
I have read your letter. Your perspective is an important one to
keep in mind as we work to achieve our vision at the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of a "life in the
community for everyone." Our vision is built on the premise that
people with or at risk for mental illnesses should have the opportunity
for a fulfilling life that includes a job, a home, and meaningful
personal relationships.
There are many pathways people with mental illnesses can take to achieve
this vision of recovery, and there are many ways to transform mental
health services to help prevent disability and to provide people with an
opportunity for recovery. SAMHSA is dedicated to ensuring that
State and local leaders can make informed decisions about the most
appropriate approach for mental health services and that people with
mental illnesses fully participate in the development and achievement of
their recovery plans.
I believe that if we continue to focus on the common ground espoused in
the five guiding principles of the Federal Mental Health Action Agenda
and in particular on Principle A (focus on the desired outcomes of mental
health care which are to attain each individuals maximum level of
employment, self-care, interpersonal relationships, and community
participation), we will continue to have an ongoing, productive, and
health dialogue.
Sincerely,
Charles G. Curie, M.A., A.C.S.W.
Administrator
For more background, read:
Urgent Letter of Protest to Federal Mental Health Agency from
EdWatch and a Coalition of Groups
Federal
Mental Health Agency Responds to EdWatch and Other Groups
Sounding the
alarm: Infant mental health
Bias as Mental
Illness
Urgent Letter of Protest