My years of working on “Coalition To End Forced Psychiatric Drugging” I could hear this advice I was given years ago: “when complaining about a problem, always offer a solution". Become a member of the CSX Movement today. We need Many People to Join Together to Make VGH a Reality.
My friends from the CSX Movement feel that VGH already exists online. We have a slowly growing Network of Psychiatric Survivors who passionately want to create change and who already spend many hours in mutual support for each other, across continents, through Zoom, Messenger and Cell calls. Many feel it is the Survivors and ExPatients who need to be running the new mental health system, as we know what does and does not work.
Therefore, we all feel it is time to make the first physical Van Gogh House, as it’s the next logical step. VGH will be mainly run by people who have lived experience, and who have great empathy for people caught up in the current system. Using technology such as Zoom, anyone can be there safely with anyone in crisis for days, without even leaving home. Our volunteers and paid employees can help provide digital support worlwide.
Our first goal will be to raise money for a SAFE, NON-TRACED CRISIS CENTER for people who need support. Almost everyone I know refuses to use the 988 Suicide Hotline, as they are under threat to get a “Wellness Check” from the police, which can lead to an involuntary psych ward hold and forced drugging via “Assisted Outpatient Treatment” or a “Community Treatment Order”.
This will be advertised widely and hopefully will help people circumnavigate the current “mental health” system. People will be reassured that no one will come and kidnap them from their house. Our main mission will be to provide support for people in crisis, and to prevent further harm.
When the VGH Call Center is completed, we will be focusing on purchasing a physical building with 4-6 beds available where we can give actual physical help and support to someone in extreme distress.