Empower to Advocacy

This year, the National Association for Rights Protection and Advocacy (NARPA) is bringing its annual conference to Maine for the first time in that organization’s history. 

Disability Rights Maine (DRM) is seeking funds to promote the engagement and empowerment of psychiatric survivors/mental health consumers/people with psychiatric labels, reinvigorate the grassroots disability rights movement, and support self-advocacy.  Over the course of four days in September, civil rights advocates, attorneys, and psychiatric survivors will explore alternatives to traditional psychiatric treatment, discuss legal theories to address systemic problems, share experiences and develop self-advocacy skills, and fortify the network of individuals affected by and concerned with increased hostility toward and scapegoating of individuals with psychiatric labels.  

We are thrilled to welcome NARPA to Maine and eager to facilitate conference attendance by seeking financial support for scholarships for individuals who cannot afford to attend.  In a time of uncertain government funding for mental health treatment, contrasted with a mounting recognition nationally and internationally that disability rights are civil rights, it is critical that  participants in the movement have the skills and expertise necessary to foster real and lasting change.

We cannot do this without your help!  Registration for NARPA is $425 per attendee.  Additional costs for attendees include food, lodging, and transportation to and from the conference.  We want to provide support to at least 100 psychiatric survivors from Maine-- every dollar helps!