Letter from the PRF Chair

Dear Members!

It is a windy fall day here in Boston – one that reminds me that change is around the corner as the seasons evolve. PRA, as both an association and foundation, is all about positive change and growth for the field of psychiatric rehabilitation, for providers who work to help people recover, and for our society to embrace all people who live with mental health conditions as citizens.

We were pleased to have a number of PRA members participate in the Destination Dignity March and Rally in Washington, D.C. on October 10.  That event was a collaborative project for change and public engagement around mental health in America. We could not be prouder to come together with people from around the nation and the world to join with people affected by mental health conditions. This was a special day to bring our voices together in solidarity and call for change and action for a more accepting and supportive nation.  It was a wonderful and inspiring day.

Collaboration is how change happens. We cannot act alone, in our silos, and hope that we can make a difference. The reality of prejudice and discrimination that exists in our mental health system and our communities towards persons with mental health conditions is reflected in the chronic underfunding of psychiatric rehabilitation services for children, youth, families, and adults. People in recovery live with unacceptable rates of unemployment, incarceration, and poverty. They experience high rates of hopelessness and suicide. We cannot tolerate the continued criminalization of psychiatric illnesses in all sectors of our society.

The Destination Dignity March and Rally, as well as the Dignity Mental Health Coalition that we have joined, are critical ways that our association can lend its voice to empowerment, self-determination, dignity, and a life of purpose and meaning for all humans across the life span who are living with mental health challenges. These are powerful ways to lend our voices to the call for action for better funding of our programs and for increased training dollars for providers who assist children, youth, families, and adults to be resilient, grow, and be well.

We will be stood tall on October 10, representing all of our PRA organizational and individual members at the Destination Dignity March and Rally. We need to make positive changes, and we hope you will get involved in your state chapters as PRA members to continue the call for change. Let’s continue to call for action to ensure that any individual, no matter their age, has access to people, programs, services, and supports that promote recovery and full citizenship.

Be well,