Update: My Open Letter to Linda Vigen Phillips, Author of the New Young Adult Novel “Crazy”
Update: The author has replied, and you can read this November 14, 2014 update at the bottom of this, Here in Eugene, Oregon, I heard a radio interview with the author of a young adult novel called “Crazy,” and I hoped that the author would challenge some mental health oppression during her book tour here in Oregon. After all, her semi-autobiographical fiction novel is about growing up in Klamath Falls, Oregon with a mom who has severe mental and emotional problems. Unfortunately, the radio interview seemed to turn into a promotion of the...
read moreRobin Williams or Patch Adams? Watch Brief Message from David Oaks to Mad In America International Event
Update: We have the winners of this film festival! For more info, click here. You may watch a little eight-minute video message, below, I sent this past Sunday, October 12, 2014, especially created to be shown during the gala dinner for the Mad In America International Film Festival, which brought together many movies that challenge the mental health industry. I wish I could have been there physically because this certainly was one of the main Mad Culture events of the season and many activists, film makers, and other creative folks...
read morePsychoQuad Goes to the Movies: The Power of Sex, Bettie Page and Art Overthrow Psychiatry
Over the decades, I have had the good fortune to be immersed in what many of us call Mad Culture. In various cities, at a number of events, there would be a confluence of writers, researchers, artists, and otherwise creative people who all wanted to peacefully overthrow the psychiatric industry and find a new way of helping people in crisis. I am glad to hear that one of your chances for Mad Culture will be from October 9-12, 2014 in Massachusetts, because the Mad In America International Film Festival will bring many film titles and speakers...
read moreYour Local Chamber of Commerce and Global Warming: Can You Help?
Update 4/6/2015: Craig Wanichek from Summit Bank is the newly – elected chair of the Board for Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce. On Sunday, September 21, 2014, here in Eugene Oregon, I participated, with my wonderful wife Debra, in a local rally to support the major march in New York City for climate justice. Everyone and every group working for mental health justice ought to make fighting global warming a priority right now. Of course, the whole disability movement, and in fact all sentient beings should be concerned about...
read morePsychiatric Survivor Activist Blogs as PsychoQuad for a Revolution in Mental Health, Major Website Picks Up for Global Re-Distribution
EUGENE, OR — FALL 2014 — News Release A recent blog entry by long-time activist David Oaks is receiving quite a lot of attention among fellow activists working for major change of the mental health industry. In the blog, David tells his friend Marcia’s story of mental health rights abuse and activism. He writes, “Marcia’s story riveted me because it involves activism, madness, psychiatric torture of her beloved daughter, Unitarianism, secret poisoned-pen letters, Scientology and global warming!” The story is certainly...
read moreMy Top 11 Ways to Reunite for a Mental Health Revolution!
My very good friend Marcia Meyers of Portland, Oregon is one of the most powerful leaders I have seen in my nearly 40 years of activism in the little-known movement for deep change in the mental health industry. She joined my amazing wife Debra, some friends and me for a backyard party at our Eugene home this summer and brought to my attention an issue that deserves a larger audience. Marcia’s story riveted me because it involves activism, madness, psychiatric torture of her beloved daughter, Unitarianism, secret poisoned-pen letters,...
read morePart-Time Admin. Needed for Long-Time Activist David Oaks
Would you like to work for a few hours a week for a social change activist? I need someone to support my activism and writing projects about two to six hours per week, more or less. Below are my criteria. If you are possibly interested, just email me. Necessary: Writing skills: You are a good writer and proofreader. Attitude: You are a self-starter, friendly with good communication skills, including the ability to hear someone with a disabled, soft voice. Basic computer abilities: You are fairly comfortable on both PC and...
read moreMy Friends Hold A Fun Benefit For Me, Here In Eugene!
This fundraising event for me went very well and we want to thank everybody who helped: The bands, poster-makers, donors, participants, and too many to mention here. Friendship gave me such a vision of joy that clearly this gift of community won that day! Here is my original message: Below, my friends have sent out this announcement about a benefit with two great bands, on Thursday, June 26, 2014. Please spread the word and if possible join me for the festivities! You may want to arrive early because the event is only two hours long. By the...
read moreHelp Wanted Now for Great Jobs.
Have you wanted a great job, with a decent pay rate and benefits, that helps people? Home Care Workers are wanted now, both for substitute positions and permanent shifts. For the past year I have been an employer of Home Care Workers, paid by the government. We have a great crew, but we have some gaps we need to fill. If you are a caring person, with good communication skills, please apply simply by emailing me about your interest. My email is davidwoaks@gmail.com Below find lots more info. Training is available free, for any of the task...
read moreTop Ten Reasons for Joining Team Oaks
While our crew is full, almost every other week we are including a fill-in sub, so while there is no guarantee, this is one way to get a permanent shift. You may read the help wanted blog entry here, plus you will find a downloadable flyer: http://davidwoaks.org/paid-unpaid-jobs/paid-homecare-worker Whether you are a paid employee or a member of the community, the below has tips on how to join Team Oaks. Thanks for caring, it would be difficult to name everyone who has helped! Attitude: I have spent my whole adult life as an activist...
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