As a ‘voices and visions gal’, as I call myself, who recently reclaimed her life from psychiatric abuse and over-medication, every little life thing I do is so big and impactful that one of my friends at home has a running joke about me. She texts me after every event, trip, workshop, or talk and asks, “Are you changed?” and my answer is always “Yes!” because returning to life after losing so much to psychiatry has a mind-blowing impact even in the minutia others gloss over. Everyday things that “normal” people ignore, or feel are just living—to me are a miracle of sorts.
This is what I expressed at the restaurant when I toasted a room full of friends and colleagues in the Mad in the World Network who had come to Norway for a Mad in the World meeting and the Mad in Norway International Film Festival. Earlier in the day, a lot of jet-lagged folks sat around a room excitedly talking together about what would be possible in the future. At the restaurant, I spoke of the miracle of the moment we were living in just then, the fact that all of us arrived in person in Lillehammer to meet and to enjoy these films on rethinking mental health.
I looked around that room and saw my heroes. All fighting in their own way for the thriving, health, and sovereignty of people in mental distress around the world. To me, it was an epic gathering, the impact of which we will continue to see ripples of in the coming months.
A few years ago, many of us met in Copenhagen, and the effect was a bit of the same. Our in-person smiles, hugs, laughter, and learning gave us heart in the fight for informed consent and human rights in psychiatry. We inspired each other with our individual and collective efforts. I am always aware of the resistance we face—the derision from psychiatry, the trolls, the personal attacks, and the fear. Every time I am in a room with these people, I see not only our strength and our hearts, but what we are up against. And I know we will keep fighting together on this path. And I am grateful we have each other.
And as always, when I arrived home again to the USA, I really was changed. So, I can report back to my friend, that yes, life—and this work—is still a beautiful miracle to me.
The schedule was well-organized, each film well-selected, and the panels after the films were informative. It was a wonderful privilege to encounter in person the directors, thinkers, artists, musicians, members of clinical teams, and parents involved. There was not a moment that one of the 208 attendees was left without something to enjoy, grow in, or experience something new and exciting—let alone the beauty of the town itself.
Even the late-night showings were well-attended. Late one evening, when the credits rolled on The Dance Club, the entire audience got up and danced. Some of my favorite people I spotted smiling and dancing in the aisles, a beautiful sight to see! This film was so beautiful I recommend that you check it out. Grete Johnsen—who, by the way, was a huge part of our everyday, who was always waiting at the welcome desk with a smile (and a few Post-It notes for me to attend to)—has put up links directing to where most of these films can be screened. You can find those here. So, those of you who could not attend can at least enjoy some of the films on various streaming platforms.
There were so many wonderful films it is impossible to mention them all here in this brief review.
As an organizer I am most proud of creating the art show, which you can view here. It was an honor to see the work of many survivors on the big screen. Another wonderful privilege was hosting, with Alan Robinson from Locura en Argentina, the music and poetry show. The musicians and poets showcased at this event brought the night to another magical place filled with powerful expressions of self-empowerment after psychiatric harm. They reminded us of the collective joy art can bring. The highlight was a circle dance, hands clasped, around the entire theater while the Mad in Brasil team—with the musicians from the Creative Humanities Score (another great movie!)—led us in music and singing and dancing together. I saw enormous smiles and childlike joy on so many of my beloved colleagues and friends’ faces. A moment I won’t soon forget.
So as to not go on forever about this amazing event, I’ll now summarize in brief. This festival was a hard-won success won with the generous support of Mad in America and the tremendous efforts of the Mad in Norway team. As the Mad in the World Liaison and friend to all that gathered in the Mad in the World Network (as well as those who could not come and were greatly missed), I was so proud to be a part of this impactful event. It brought together artists, activists, survivors, and helpers of different types to enjoy each other’s presence, stories, and artistic creations. And with each other we were deeply reminded of the diversity of the human experience and the compassion, non-judgement and acceptance that can prevail between people. How connection can be how we heal from crisis, without needing to pathologize when crisis hits.
All in all, we did exactly what we set out to do, and I am so proud to have been a part of this event. We provided a dynamic, safe space filled with art and dialogue—a space to encourage everyone to rethink mental health.
