The National Empowerment Center and the 2013 National Advisory Committee welcomed over 800 individuals from all over the world to Austin, Texas for the 2013 Alternatives Conference. Funding for the Conference was made possible in part by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The theme of Alternatives 2013 was Building Inclusive Communities: Valuing Every Voice.
As a first-time attendee of the Conference, I was afforded a wonderfully eye-opening experience to learn more about the Recovery Movement from a new perspective. It was a chance to listen to very real and personal stories of individuals living with mental illness and trauma. The keynote speakers and workshop facilitators were inspiring as I sat and listened to their stories and the topics presented at the various workshops. I was continuously reminded of the importance and the value of respect and individual choice. Individuals with mental health diagnoses are living full healthy and fulfilling lives because they were given a choice and a voice in their treatment. They decided what Recovery meant to them and designed their own paths toward recovery.
I left the conference convinced that mental health professionals such as myself, need more education about the Peer Recovery movement. We also need to be more open-minded about innovative treatments. We need to take a few steps away from the traditional treatment modalities.
I’m very pleased to have attended and encourage you to attend future conferences to reenergize, share skills and information about innovative peer-delivered supports, mental health recovery, wellness, community-building initiatives and systems changes.
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