Often, those who use mental health services complain that “the system” treats them as property or lab rats, pushing them into boxes which they really don’t fit into, and then slamming “coffin” lids on them, preventing them from growing in the manner they need.  Sometimes, this is said in more colorful language.                                       

Achieving the Promise, the final report from the President’s New Freedom Commission, July 2003, states a life in the community for everyone- can be realized.  It also states the mental health care system is a patchwork relic.... the system presents barriers that all too often add to the burden of mental illnesses for individuals, their families, and our communities.  Little improvement has been made since.

Quite frankly, the mental health system is itself, quite insane.  One of the definitions of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results.  Much "treatment" still consists of demanding clients be subservient, throwing them crumbs when they are submissive enough, and punishing them when they speak up.             

~~~~~ On or about October 11, 2009 this website will be totally revised and include a proposal for a Harmony Based peer run Recovery Center~  CACTUS FLOWER HARMONY CENTER~  Plans are underway to establish this center in Reno Nevada sometime in 2010.  However, part of the reason this information will be posted is to create discussion and controversy on what a transformed mental health system should look like   ~~~~~~~~~   Your comments, input will be appreciated, as well as your efforts to establish this center  ~~ or one similar to it in your community.  If we wait for the bureacrats, it will be a long long wait. 

The New Strategic Plan released by the National Institute of Mental Health now recognizes Recovery as a goal of mental health treatment.

                                                   Goals of Recovery

                                                           Be Happy

                                                           Be Healthy

                                                          Be Peaceful

                               Live in Harmony with Yourself and Others

                                                   We presented

      Enhancing What’s Right: Alternative and Complementary Treatments

                                                           At

                       The California Assn of Social Rehabilitation Agencies
                     San Mateo Marriott   1770 S. Amphlett Blvd    San Mateo, CA

                                                  April 8th, 2009

                                                           &

                          WELLNESS AND RECOVERY CONFERENCE 
                             PINE MANORS, EDISON, NEW JERSEY

                                                MARCH 19-20, 2009

We will also be presenting Enhancing What's Right: Alternative and Complementary Treatments at the ALTERNATIVES CONVENTION in Omaha, Nebraska ~ Oct 28- Nov 1, 2009. 

                                  ***************************************************************.

In many ways, the current mental health system can be compared to blind people who encounter an elephant for the first time.  One puts his arms around a leg, and declares an elephant is like a tree; another grabs the tail and says an elephant is like a rope.  Yet another places a hand against its side, and claims an elephant is like a wall. Another holds the trunk, saying it most resembles a snake.

Some in the mental health system are stubborn (frontal, to use psychiatric humor) to say the least.  Convinced they are right, and that anyone with a differing view must be wrong; they work to fit everyone into a handful of boxes, and sometimes blame the client for not fitting correctly.  However, to gain a better understanding of this elephant, many voices must be listened to.  Each of the different perspectives is needed. 

 
We will be presenting many of the differing views.  Hopefully this will aid in the transformation of the mental health system, and make recovery from mental illness and prevention of mental illnesses a reality.  

We recommend that anyone with a mental health diagnosis obtain a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis to determine if either a mineral deficiency/ overabundance exists, a toxic substance is present, or if mineral ratios are out of balance.  In addition, we recommend that the individual visit a chiropractor (preferably a soft touch or NSA practitioner) to check the alignment of the skull with the atlas, or top of the spinal cord.  These conditions can cause symptoms which can result in a mental health diagnosis.  Unfortunately, the medical community often turns to drugs without eliminating other possibilities. 

    According to the bio-medical model there are four main causes of brain dysfunction: 

                                  1. Anatomical abnormalities or damage 

                                   2. Lack of oxygen or glucose 

                                   3. Electrolyte imbalance 

                         4. Neurotransmitter deregulation; the imbalance of brain chemistry.


But the bio-medical model is not the only model.  There is a Buddhist medical model, an Ayurveda medicine model, a Homeopathic medicine model, a model from traditional Chinese medicine, even a Shamanic model, and parts of each are slowly being incorporated into what is becoming known as the Vibrational Medicine model (See VIBRATIONAL MEDICINE
© 2001, by Richard Gerber M.D.). The Vibrational model is in harmony with the advances made in physics during the past century.  A modern recovery based system will need to be accepting of all methods which prove effective.

Approach to Balance, is an approved Nevada Medicaid Provider, (non-profit 501C(3) pending) offering peer and family education, as well as alternative / complementary services, to aid individuals in recovery from mental illness and / or substance abuse.  We also advocate changes in the mental health systems (including criminal justice) to make Nevada, The U.S. ..and the world, experience greater harmony.