Research: Topics: Health Care: Strategic Plan for Documenting Mental Health in NY
A Strategic Plan for Documenting Mental Health in New York State
Documentation Priority Descriptions and Potential Records
Priority: Document the functions and services of mental health support and advocacy organizations and consumer/survivor/ex-patient groups
The issue: Mental health issues, policies, practices, and the experiences of people engaged with the mental health system have led to the formation of numerous groups, ranging from informal support groups of current and former mental health care recipients to large statewide non-profit organizations, that engage in a wide range of support and advocacy activities. Most support and advocacy organizations and groups, under-staffed and focused intently on their missions, seldom devote scarce time or resources to documenting their work or caring for the documentation they do create. Therefore, this critical component of the history of mental health in New York is virtually absent from the historical record.
Goal: To document advocacy for and critiques of mental health policy, programs, and services, including legislative advocacy, public relations activities, and advocacy and critiques directed at service providers, etc., by:
- Government agencies
- Non-profit organizations, including grassroots and peer-led organizations and groups
- Unincorporated, less formal groups
Goal: To document professional, volunteer, peer, and family support activities for people with psychiatric histories by
- Government agencies
- Non-profit organizations, including grassroots and peer-led organizations and groups
- Unincorporated, less formal groups
Existing Documentation
The State Archives search revealed only five collections statewide that document advocacy organizations, and none that document support groups or self-help/peer-run organizations.
Where to look for more records (preliminary suggestions)
Support and advocacy activities are carried out within four segments of the mental health field:
- Government agencies and private mental health service providers that have advocacy or support divisions or programs
- Organizations of mental health professionals that engage in advocacy and public education
- Mental health support and advocacy organizations
- The network of peer-led, self-help organizations and groups representing the consumer/survivor/ex-patient movement
