PUBLIC STATEMENT
2 February 2006

MindFreedom International issues alerts about individuals at risk of or currently experiencing involuntary psychiatric procedures, including on an outpatient basis while living peacefully in the community in their own residences. Occasionally these public alerts have apparently led to some individuals who are experiencing coerced outpatient psychiatry to find resources assisting them to relocate to avoid their forced psychiatric procedures. This in no way implies that MindFreedom, its board or members -- nor the individuals escaping forced outpatient psychiatry -- are in any way involved in, aiding, supporting or condoning any illegal activity, directly or indirectly. For more information, please contact the MindFreedom office.
- David Oaks, Director, MindFreedom International

Welcome to the MindFreedom Shield Program

MindFreedom International has a track record of taking constructive, nonviolent action when we are notified that a person is being subjected to coerced or forced psychiatric procedures. In order to better utilize our very limited resources, we have established the MindFreedom Shield Program.

The MindFreedom Shield Program is a coordinated registration system and solidarity network of MindFreedom members who want to have as much protection as possible from coerced or forced psychiatric treatment.

The MindFreedom Shield is NOT meant to replace a formal "advance directive," which is a legal document we highly recommend people fill out. MindFreedom does not have the resources to assist in completing an advance directive, but we do have more information linked at the bottom of this page and on the MindFreedom website.

All for one and one for all.

If a member who has registered a MindFreedom Shield is verifiably found by MindFreedom to be subjected to coerced or forced psychiatric treatment, an alert will be sent to the MindFreedom Solidarity Network on that person's behalf.

Everyone in the MindFreedom Solidarity Network is expected to participate in constructive, nonviolent action recommended in the alert received to support the person for whom an alert has been issued.

While we cannot guarantee the results of issuing alerts, it has been our experience that public awareness can often reduce, if not end, situations of coerced or forced psychiatric treatment.

By uniting, we also expect to educate the public. If you choose to fill out a MindFreedom Shield form, you will be asked if you would like to be listed in the MindFreedom Shield Public Registry. Listing in the Public Registry is completely optional. The MindFreedom Shield Public Registry is a periodically updated list posted on the web of people who have registered MindFreedom Shields and choose to have their names and general location (city, state or country) listed.

The MindFreedom Shield program is a public alert system, and we are not able to provide legal representation or professional advocacy. Because this alert system is public, we are unable to issue alerts on behalf of individuals who wish to remain anonymous.

There are three easy steps for people to participate in the MindFreedom Shield Campaign.

1. Make Sure Your Membership In MindFreedom Is Current.
   
   Any current member of MindFreedom can register a MindFreedom Shield. No separate fee, apart from the standard membership dues in MindFreedom, is required to register a MindFreedom Shield. MindFreedom's recommended annual membership is $35 or more a year. Donations are tax deductible. For information on joining or renewing your membership in MindFreedom go to http://www.mindfreedom.org/join.shtml
   
   
2. Be Willing to Participate in the MindFreedom Solidarity Network.
   
   Every person who registers a MindFreedom Shield is expected to participate in the MindFreedom Solidarity Network.
   
   The MindFreedom Solidarity Network is composed of members who have registered a MindFreedom Shield and are ready to act if an individual's MindFreedom Shield is not being upheld or respected. Alerts to the MindFreedom Solidarity Network will be sent out via a separate e-mail list. MindFreedom will automatically subscribe any person who registers a MindFreedom Shield to the Solidarity Network e-mail list.
   
   
3. Register In Writing with the MindFreedom Shield Program.
   
   Complete, sign and mail the MindFreedom Shield Registration Form. Please allow two to four weeks for the MindFreedom office to process your MindFreedom Shield Registration Form.