From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: Psychiatric Survivors: Cry of the Invisible
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: PACH
Date: Sun, 23 Aug 1992 08:23:07 GMT

The ACTivist July/August 92

The ACTivist is published monthly (one issue during July and August)
by the ACT for Disarmament Coalition, 736 Bathurst St., Toronto, 
Ontario, Canada, M5S 2R4, phone 416-531-6154, fax 416-531-5850,
e-mail web:act.

Reprint freely, but please credit us (and send us a copy!)

/** gen.newsletter: 121.18 **/
** Written 11:31 pm  Aug 11, 1992 by web:act in cdp:gen.newsletter **
OUT OF THE DARKNESS

Cry of the Invisible:
Writings from the Homeless and Survivors of 
Psychiatric Hospitals
Ed. Michael A. Susko
Conservatory Press
pp. 334

Reviewed by Don Weitz

Cry of the Invisible is more than the soul-shattering cry 
which I unfortunately have heard all too many times from 
hundreds of psychiatric survivors. This is an intensely personal, 
dramatic and moving collection of stories, poems and illustrations 
from over twenty such survivors, as well as some sharp critiques 
from a few supportive and dissident health professionals.

The heart of this amazing anthology is personal testimony -- the 
survivors' own stories and poems. They speak of raw and searing 
pain, deep suffering, humiliation, rage, and -- miraculously -- love
 and hope in the midst of psychiatric oppression. Most contributors 
have experienced not just the psychiatric crimes of forced drugging,
 electroshock, solitary confinement and/or involuntary committal 
(imprisonment without trial or public hearing), but years of 
homelessness and childhood sexual and physical abuse. These 
writer-survivors are the real heroes, who have survived both 
psychiatric and socio-economic oppression. Many, as victims of 
physical and sexual violence, were also oppressed by their families 
and 'friends'.

The rivetting and poignant contributions shatter the common 
psychiatric/bureaucratic myth that homelessness is just another 
"symptom" of "mental illness" and expose psychiatry as the 
disabling, brainwashing, and fascist force it really is.

It's a minor miracle that the stories do not read like one long horror 
story. For this, we must thank Michael Susko for his sensitive 
editing.
Although organized around headings ("Wandering", "Invisibility", 
"Wounded Since Childhood", "Quest" and "Advocacy") the book looks 
and reads like a rich, multi-coloured mosaic. The stories, poems, 
drawings and illustrations all seem to fall into place somehow, a 
living whole. 

Perhaps most, if not all, of the "Advocacy" section -- a collection 
of critiques of the "mental health system" by prominent professional 
critics -- could have been left out without weakening the larger, 
more personal survivor sections; however, no doubt students 
and researchers will appreciate its inclusion.

Cry of the Invisible is a work of real commitment, honesty and 
love, and I treasure it. The book deserves to be widely read and 
discussed by many, including those professionals who still believe 
in the medical/mental illness myths and lies. Perhaps Susko's next 
book will feature survivor-controlled advocacy and self-help groups 
and other humane and empowering alternatives to the endemic 
psychiatric fascism erroneously labelled "the mental health system."

 Don Weitz is a member of Resistance Against Psychiatry, which 
organized a demonstration against electroshock on July 14 and 
continues to stage anti-psychiatry events, as well as distributing 
information. They can be contacted at 416-532-2731.

** End of text from cdp:gen.newsletter **

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