Here the revised text of the eight Oregon Peers

							OCSC – Oregon Consumer/Survivor Coalition is Preparing
for
Oregon's 2013 Legislative Session
Our message to legislators:
Improve Oregon’s Mental Health Services …
FUND PEER SUPPORT!

OCSC aims to establish a statewide network of people who
identify as having a psychiatric diagnosis and/or who feel
labeled by one; to share ideas; provide mutual support;
work toward common goals; strengthen peer run
organizations;
and advocate for positive change in the mental health
system.


We’re calling for three Legislative Actions:
(identified by a coalition of Oregon mental health consumer
and psychiatric survivors)
1. Fund more mental health consumer‐ operated support
programs that can hire peer support workers.
Peers have firsthand, lived experience(s) of mental health
recovery, which makes them the highly effective mental
health professionals. Peers have the power to significantly
decrease mental health care costs by moving their clients
OUT of the mental health system and back INTO the
community –
achieving a long lasting, stable recovery in the process.
2. Fund more training and technical assistance for peer
support workers.
A growing body of evidence shows that peer support workers
utilizing targeted interventions can have a huge impact,
significantly reducing the time their clients spend inside the
mental health system. Keeping Oregon’s peer support
workers up‐ to‐ date on advances in the field will enable
them to be as effective as possible in the work: reintegrating
clients into the workforce and into their communities.
3. Establish the Oregon Office of Mental Health Consumer
Activities.
Through a central office, consumers can contribute their
firsthand knowledge to streamline services, supporting
programs that help troubled individuals move towards
stability, community reintegration, and long lasting recovery.
Whether you are a current or former Oregon mental health
client or a caring ally — we need your help!
Each legislative session may include many dozens of bills
and hearings involving mental health. None of these three
legislative actions has a specific bill or budget item attached
to them yet, but we can still be active by:
(a) communicating with legislators and their staffs about the
importance of these goals, and
(b) asking exactly what strategies they recommend for
accomplishing these goals.

We know that Peer Support Works!
Peers have a lived personal experience of recovery and
transformation in mental health, which brings hope,
inspiration, and an immediate connection with their clients.
Recent research has shown the incredible time‐ and
money‐ saving power of peer support:
• Psychiatric hospital admissions amongst people with a
mental health diagnosis and a peer mentor were 53% less
than for those without a peer mentor.
• Peer mentors can help decrease risky behaviors and foster
healthier alternatives instead. One study found that peer
mentors helped reduce illicit drug use by 45%, while drug
use amongst those receiving conventional treatment dropped
by only 29%.
• Peer mentors help foster hope, self‐ efficacy, and a sense of
empowerment amongst people with a mental health
diagnosis (measures of these three indicators rose by a
statistically significant amount amongst those who
participated in a peer‐ run recovery courses, while they
stayed about the same or dropped amongst people who did
not participate in the course).
The Oregon Mental Health Care System [AMH] knows it,
too!
In its literature, AMH states that it “recognizes the
indisputable value of PDS [Peer Delivered Services] in
transforming the mental health and addiction service
delivery system that is based on a recovery model. AMH will
work with service population stakeholder groups to develop
strategies to increase the use and availability of PDS.”
Furthermore, the Oregon State Olmstead Plan reiterates:
“To expand consumer voice statewide, Oregon is promoting
consumers as educators in mental health and addiction
services. Oregon will continue to actively seek consumer
participation in the development of community‐ based
programs. Oregon will actively seek and support consumer
participation as members of quality improvement site
reviews and will provide increased consumer education
regarding Olmstead and policy, development and
implementation. AMH will seek funding to support
community‐ based consumer organizations thru an Office of
Consumer Activities.” [emphasis added].
WE KNOW PEER SUPPORT WORKS
For the client…
“I overcame hopelessness when I learned that there were
others like me who have recovered through peer support… I
have, with the encouragement of my health care
professionals, been able to pursue my associate’s degree. My
current health care providers always say ‘I can do it.’ “
Pamela Rangel
Coquille, OR
(receiving peer support services)

And for the provider!
“I decided it was patently unfair for people to see others
based on their diagnosis rather than their being people. So I
started a Peer Support program here in Columbia County
and began advocating both locally and at the state level for
change. It gave my life purpose and that, I think, was the
turning point for me.”
Rebecca Brands
St. Helens, OR
(current peer support provider)

We want to know: WHY ZERO?
If peer support works, why has there been zero funding for a
statewide consumer voice in Oregon?
The State of Oregon used to lead the US in supporting the
statewide voice of mental health consumers and psychiatric
survivors. A decade ago, the State of Oregon funded an
Oregon Office of Consumer/Survivor Technical Assistance
(OR‐ OCTA), whose staff monitored programs across the
state, provided technical assistance, gave out mini‐ grants to
mental health client groups, held a statewide conference and
training event, and informed state committees on consumer
concerns.
Budget cutbacks eliminated OCTA in 2003, and to date, such
an entity has not been restored. The next Oregon legislative
session marks ten years with zero funding. Oregon is one of
the few USA states with no funding for the statewide voice of
mental health clients.
We continue to ask WHY ZERO? WHY ZERO funding
since 2003?
The Statewide Consumer Voice
Several estimates* have been made regarding the prevalence
of individuals with mental health needs. Kessler (2008)
estimated prevalence at 18% for Adults in Need (almost 1 in
5 totaling 171,496) and 10.3% (almost 1 in 10 totaling
91,590) for Children in Need in Oregon. The US Surgeon
General in 1999 reported similar prevalence estimates of
20% for Adults and 5‐ 9% for Children. We believe,
however, this is just the tip of the iceberg, based on narrow
definitions and underreporting. Plus, there are many family
members, friends, neighbors, and community members
whose lives are directly touched by consumers, survivors and
ex‐ patients.
The Oregon population of prisoners diagnosed with serious
psychiatric disorders was estimated to be 16% (almost 1 in
6,
totaling 3,091). And, the number of Oregon individuals
diagnosed with serious psychiatric disorders in state, private
and psychiatric units in general hospitals was estimated at
1,026 in 2004. In 2011, Oregon reports 736 persons under the
PSRB (Psychiatric Security Review Board, GEI ("Guilty
Except by Insanity")), 44% of whom reside at the Oregon
State Hospital and the remainder in the community under
supervision. 16 youth were under the JPSRB (Juvenile
Psychiatric Review Board), as well.
Results of Statewide Survey:
OCSC held a state‐ wide survey of mental health consumers
and psychiatric survivors in August 2012. Over 100 filled out
the survey. 60% of respondents belonged to a mental health
consumer group, and 71% identified themselves as a mental
health consumer.
By far, the top priority was more funding for mental health
peer support services. Of 104 respondents, 42 placed this as
one of their top three priorities. Thirty‐ nine stated they
wanted to create more humane alternatives to conventional
mental health care.
AMH is saying it, Oregon’s consumers and survivors are
saying it; and now it’s time to say it to our legislators:
Fund Peer Support Services!
Many plans and decisions for upcoming legislative sessions
are made before the legislative sessions begin, during
election
and campaign season – in fact, this is a great time to host
discussions and ask candidates to share their views and
commit to a better system with responsible resource
allocation. Also, many decisions are made during legislative
sessions at the committee level, so get to know the state
legislators serving on the relevant committees and caucuses.
Legislators especially like to hear from their constituents,
people who live in their regional district, as well.
To improve mental health services in Oregon let’s pursue
these LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS:
1. Fund more mental health consumer‐ operated support
programs that can hire peer support workers.
We seek COMMUNITY‐ BASED, CONSUMER
OPERATED SERVICES & PROGRAMS across Oregon.
We seek an expanded and responsive service array including
holistic and whole health ALTERNATIVES to traditional
mental health services for individualized treatment plans
towards complete, holistic recovery.
Further, we seek a standardized consent form for full
disclosure on the matter of psychiatric drugs such as the
Proposed Consent form by David Cohen and David Jacobs.
We seek an expanded and responsive service array
addressing not just mental health treatment in the clinical
setting, but
for the sake of recovery and community inclusion:
• Supported housing and respite
• Services supporting independent living
• Supported education
• Supported employment
• Supported socialization
• Access to phone support (warm lines) available 24/7
• Trauma-informed care for both children and adults
• Supported transition from psychiatric hospitalization or
incarceration back into the community (with a focus on
reducing time in institutions – this would involve partnering
with advocates already working in hospitals/prisons)
2. Fund more training/certification and continued technical
assistance for peer support workers.
We seek scholarships so that mental health consumers can
access peer delivered services TRAINING.
AMH has developed standards for Peer Delivered Services
Training yet the costs to attend these trainings are beyond
reach for many consumers and survivors, and some have
voiced concern for favoritism or biased selection to the
exclusion of persons with diverse experience.
We seek CONTINUED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE for
Peer Delivered Service Organizations, including supervision
from fellow peer providers.
We seek a healthy work environment with clearly defined
job responsibilities, appropriate oversight/supervision, and a
LIVING WAGE for all peer delivered service providers.
3. Establish the Oregon Office of Mental Health Consumer
Activities.
In Olmstead v. United States, the US Supreme Court ruled
that all individuals diagnosed with mental or physical
disabilities
has a right to receive the most community‐ integrated care
possible, and each state must have a plan to provide this
care.
Oregon was one of the last states to pass its plan.
At OCSC's request, the plan ends with this promise:
“To expand consumer voice statewide, Oregon is promoting
consumers as educators in mental health and addiction
services. Oregon will continue to actively seek consumer
participation in the development of community‐ based
programs. Oregon will actively seek and support consumer
participation as members of quality improvement site
reviews and will provide increased consumer education
regarding Olmstead and policy, development and
implementation. AMH will seek funding to support
community‐ based consumer organizations thru an Office of
Consumer Activities.” [emphasis added].
‐ from the Oregon State Olmstead Plan; February 11, 2011
How will the Oregon mental health care system (AMH)
deliver upon its commitment in Oregon’s Olmstead Plan?
The Olmstead Plan specifically calls for the participation
and direct input of consumers and family members, and
consumer perspective is a known, critical component of
quality improvement.
Even a decade ago, a survey of state mental health
authorities identified a majority of USA states (27) as having
paid positions for consumers in central offices (Geller et al.,
1998).
WHY ZERO funding for an Office of Consumer Activities in
Oregon?
Core Elements of a Successful Office of Mental Health
Consumer Activities:
• Establishment, planning and hiring must be supported by
and involve consumers/survivors
• Must be directed by a self‐ identified consumer/survivor
• Must be part of senior management team
• An adequate support system must be in place and ongoing
• Must serve as a systems change agent
• Does not relieve other senior management staff from
interacting with consumers/survivors
[Source: US Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services
Administration, SAMHSA]


A United Voice for Change
Who are we? We are OCSC ‐ Oregon Consumer /
Psychiatric Survivor Coalition, and we are A United Voice
for Change in Oregon’s Mental Health Care.

OCSC was incorporated five years ago, on 31 August 2007.
OCSC Mission Statement:
To establish a statewide network of people who identify as
having a psychiatric diagnosis and/or who feel labeled by
one; to share ideas; provide mutual support; work toward
common goals; strengthen peer run organizations; and
advocate for positive change in the mental health system.


Offer Feedback on This Plan
OCSC has held a statewide planning meeting, several
teleconferences and a survey to gather input and select our
priorities for the Oregon legislature plan. But we’re not done
gathering feedback yet…
We want to hear your ideas! If at all possible, please attend
our free statewide gathering, which will be mainly dedicated
to our Oregon legislative plan:
OCSC STATEWIDE GATHERING
Preceding Alternatives Conference 2012
Wednesday October 10, 2012 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront Hotel
Attendance is free; pre‐ register by emailing us at:
oregon.united@gmail.com
We support inclusion and ask you to speak up ‐ tell us what
you want to CHANGE ABOUT OREGON’S MENTAL
HEALTH
SYSTEM! Tell us who you are (or not). What works for you?
What doesn’t?
What is your vision? How do you think OCSC can be a force
with the Oregon state legislature?
At this event we hope to:
• Emerge with a shared vision we all buy into, and a strong
collective identity – in other words, become a United
Voice for Change
• Identify and build consensus on immediate priorities
• Create a collaborative action plan working toward those
priorities

Supporting the Statewide Voice of Oregon Mental Health
Clients:
OCSC’s Current Sponsoring Organizations
The LILA Peer Support Club – Eugene, OR
MindFreedom Oregon – Eugene, OR
Project Able, Inc. – Salem, OR
Empowerment Initiatives, Inc. – Portland, OR
Mental Health America of Oregon (formerly
OCTA‐ PeerLiNC Oregon) – Portland, OR
State of Oregon Mental Health Consumer/Psychiatric
Survivor Advisory Council – Salem, OR
Lane County Mental Health Consumer/Psychiatric Survivor
Advisory Council – Eugene, OR
Rainbow Clubhouse – Bend, OR
ShelterCare Consumer Council – Eugene, OR
Oasis of Klamath County – Klamath Falls, OR
Union Drop‐ In Center – Grants Pass, OR
A Place of Our Own – Tillamook, OR
Benton County Peer Wellness Specialists Program –
Corvallis, OR
BEARS – Corvallis, OR
Silver Sage – Ontario, OR
GOBHI Consumer Caucus – Baker, OR
Crystal Dimensions – Springfield, OR
Is your group not on the list? Join today! (no cost at this
time)
Also, individuals are invited to join OCSC now. Present and
former Oregon mental health clients can join as regular
members. All others can join as allies. Email
oregon.united@gmail.com and with your full contact
information and ask to join. (NOTE: Applications subject to
assembly approval.)
To ask questions, make suggestions and find out how about
your organization may join the coalition assembly, contact
board member Mark Fisher by e‐ mail at:
mfisher88@msn.com.
To stay in touch with OCSC, join the free public e‐ mail
announcement list OCSC‐ NEWS (bit.ly/ocsc‐ news) or join
our free public moderated discussion list OCSC‐ TALK
(bit.ly/ocsc‐ talk)
Check out our Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/oregonpeers
And visit the OCSC WordPress Blog here:
http://www.oregonpeers.org/
OCSC is a Proud Sponsor of the National Coalition for
Mental Health Recovery (NCMHR)