Success was apparent at a November training in Buffalo that attracted participants from five western counties. Hosted by the consumer group Action for Mental Health, the Buffalo session brought together nine groups from Erie County alone. A training in Binghamton in October, hosted by the Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier, brought together representatives from groups across central New York State. Media attention, including a recent cover story by The New York Times , is helping to gain the attention of politicians and the public. Not all of this attention is positive, but the debate is part of the struggle of full civil rights for consumers.
Controversy is a welcome opportunity to confront and combat stigma and discrimination.
At the end of 1999, over 35,000 NYC consumers are enrolled. Election Day breakfasts and brunches are very popular. Just as important as getting out the vote is the need to educate consumer voters on mental health issues and the positions of candidates on these issues. Naturally, such efforts must be strictly non-partisan. New York City Voices , a consumer journal for mental health advocacy, which is widely distributed in NYC, and available upon request statewide, is another source of information on mental health policy issues.