MHASP Plays Important Role at National Summit

When more than 400 consumers met in Portland, Oregon in August to discuss national issues affecting people with mental illnesses, MHASP was there.

Approximately 30 staffers from the Association assisted with the National Summit of Mental Health Consumers and Survivors, which was held August 26-29.

The Summit was organized and co-sponsored by the National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse. Clearinghouse staff, along with numerous volunteers from the Portland area, were on hand to make sure the event ran smoothly.

The Clearinghouse operates out of offices at MHASP and is an affiliate of the agency. Joseph A. Rogers is executive director of both organizations.

The goal of the Summit was to identify national issues, as well as areas of agreement and disagreement around those issues, that affect consumers of mental health services.

During the Summit, participants broke into working groups around 12 different issues, or planks. Each group produced a position paper on that plank.

"The Summit was a preliminary step in creating a unified voice," said Rogers. "It exceeded our expectations both in terms of attendance and what was accomplished. We're really looking forward to continuing the great work that was done in Portland."

At the Summit, some MHASP staffers worked as reporters in each of the plank discussion groups. They kept records of the discussions and assisted the group facilitators whenever possible.

Other MHASP staffers joined volunteers from the Portland area to help man the Support Suite, which was available to participants throughout the Summit.