The Empowerment Council (EC) submission from Wednesday May 14, 2003 to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology led by Senator Michael Kirby.
This paper looks beyond the effects of the public’s prejudice toward the mental health and addiction service-user community, to also consider the discrimination that allows for the exclusion of our community’s voice, and the injustices and misdeeds that occur in the mental health system and in public policy as a result.
The submission includes a list of myths and stereotypes that endanger people with a psychiatric label and a list of recommendations to address prejudices against service-users, protect their rights and involve service-users in the creation of policies and legislation that affect their lives.