Boston M-POWER Chapter Update
People who attend a Boston M-POWER Chapter meeting learn the latest news in mental health in Massachusetts and nationwide. We also learn how to become agents of change for the better and how to advocate for ourselves and others.
The February 2004 chapter meeting gave attendees information on M-POWER's
upcoming leadership academy and peer advocacy training. We learned about efforts
to get hospitals to allow patients access to fresh air and/or smoking at some
facilities where it is never possible to leave the unit until discharged.
We also made further plans to strategize on defeating some proposed legislation.
At the Massachusetts state level, the Mass Nurses Association (MNA) is in
support of House Bill 503 which would make it a more severe felony to, for
example, resist a restraint and seclusion attempt.
We also regularly get updates on the M-POWER board of directors meetings and
various subcommittees including the planning for a POWER event that will increase
the clout of the entire M-POWER organization. Starting in 2004 we now have
a standing agenda item of "items of interest to any member" which
allows everyone, including new members, to share information or ask the group
for assistance in any matter.
We also mobilize to get people to attend interesting conferences, workshops
and teleconferences. Scholarships are frequently offered. Attendees at a chapter
meeting always walk away with a packet of useful information, ideas to think
about, and tools on matters,which to take action.
For everyone who is reading this or previous newsletters and who wants to
get involved with the exciting work going on at M-POWER, please consider attending
a meeting of the Boston Chapter of M-POWER. Right now we are meeting once
a month, on the 2nd Friday of the month at our offices at 197 Ashmont Street,
Dorchester. We are about one block from the Ashmont Red Line MBTA stop with
ample parking nearby. We serve free pizza with various toppings and a variety
of soda at 5:30pm. Please come early and mingle and network with the regular
members!
The meetings last from 6-8pm with a break in the middle. Some meetings we
will have a guest speaker of interest for part of the meeting. The Disability
Law Center will be sending an attorney soon to help us learn our rights in
and out of the hospital and how to enforce and protect those rights.
Over the years the Boston chapter has gotten involved with many campaigns
to make changes in the "mental health system" and has been very
successful in a number of matters. We are most proud of changes in restraint
and seclusion policy and the requirement that "informed
consent" be given prior to treatment. We have been successful in the
passage of much legislation including the Five Fundamental Rights Act and
the Community Residence Tenancy Law.
If you would like more information or would like to get reminders in the mail
of future meetings, please contact me at M-POWER. Furthermore, if getting
to Dorchester is a burden, please contact me to learn if there are other consumer-run
groups that already exist in your area or which might be forming. I, Howard
Trachtman, can be reached at M-POWER at (617) 929-4111 or toll-free at: (877)
769-7693. I can also be reaced at home at (781) 642-0368. We look forward
to meeting you at a chapter meeting soon!
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