1. What do you think about the word “consumer” to refer to someone who uses mental health services? Other terms used include patient, client, and survivor. Which do you prefer and why?
2. What do you think about the treatment that the two speakers received in the mental health systsm? Can you understand their commitment to change the system?
3. As the presentations point out, many of the current reforms in the mental health system came from ideas originally proposed by consumers. Which of these reforms do you think is the most important?
4. Family members sometimes have conflicts with consumer groups over the issue of forced treatment. What do you see as the pros and cons of consumers having control of what treatments that are given to them?
5. What part, if any, would you like to play in the future of the consumer movement?
6. California’s Mental Health Services Act promises to transform the public mental health system. Other states are watching what happens in California. What do you hope will happen? What do you think will happen?
7. What did the speakers teach you about how an equal rights struggle begins and matures? Can you apply that in other areas of your life?

Notes:

• For resources see: Resources for Consumers