Empowering the voice of the users

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Published: Apr 4, 2017
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5007/cbsm.v9i21.69542

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Richard Weingarten
Richard Weingarten, a peer in recovery, served as regional director of Consumer (Peer) Initiatives and Education for the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) from 1994 - 2009. He founded and directed several peer-run services and programs, including the Welcome Basket Project, Peer Support in Hospital Emergency Rooms and the WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan). While serving DMHAS, he was featured in a Connecticut Public Television program, "Opening Doors, Opening Minds," and received appointments in the Department of Psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine and Housatonic Community College. In retirement since 2009, Richard has introduced peer-run services and pro-grams in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, the Netherlands and Israel. He is currently coordinating peer-run speakers bureaus in three cities in Brazil and hosting a public access tv program, “Mental Health, Wellness and Recov-ery!" in Greater New Haven.

Abstract

The article describes the creation, implementation and first year outcomes of the Speaking up community;” Telling Our Stories” program in Sao Paulo, Santa Maria, RS and Rio de Janeiro.  The article shows how the program grew out of a call for more lived experiences of recovery among user in Brasil and how Richard Weingarten adapted a similar North American program for Brazilian culture. The aims of the CDF are to inform the public about the real lived experiences of mental disorders while at the same time eliminate the prejudice and discrimination often targeted at Brazilian users and their families. The article contains commentary by the various audiences that have participated in the CDF (medical schools, nursing programs, hospitals CAPs, family associations, etc.) as well as testimonials by users who have presented the program. 

Article Details

How to Cite
WEINGARTEN, Richard. Empowering the voice of the users. Brazilian Journal of Mental Health, [S. l.], v. 9, n. 21, p. 146–157, 2017. DOI: 10.5007/cbsm.v9i21.69542. Disponível em: https://periodicos.ufsc.br/index.php/cbsm/article/view/69542. Acesso em: 17 apr. 2025.
Issue
Vol. 9 No. 21 (2017): Psychiatric Reform and the Recovery Movement in Brazil, the United States and Italy: Practices, Experiences and Health Systems
Section
Original articles

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