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In the mental health field the term 'service users' or just 'users' has become commonplace as a way of referring to people who might otherwise be known as patients, clients or members of a particular service. |
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Some of us call ourselves 'survivors', a term that can mean 'survivors of the mental health system', and/or 'survivors of mental distress' (or whatever words a person may use to describe his or her experience). The word may also be used to mean 'survivors' of traumatic or adverse life events generally - events that might be seen as bringing a person into contact with mental health services in the first place. |
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Calling ourselves survivors doesn't mean that we no longer use services - we may or we may not - it doesn't mean that we no longer experience crisis or distress. |
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Traditionally, people now called mental health service users and survivors have been among some of the most stigmatised and socially excluded groups in society, our voices unheard or discredited. Increasingly, however, we have joined together to share experiences, to make our various views known, to influence service provision, and in some cases, to run our own projects and services. |
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Below are details of a number of local groups and projects, as well as some national and international organisations. |
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