An Open Letter to Consumers:

As a consumer of mental health services, I am writing you to inform you of an exciting new opportunity: The emergence of the new Consumer Council System of Maine. We have, in our hands, the opportunity to be the change we want to see! Yes, perhaps in the past, our voices have not been heard; there have been promises broken, and things that have not worked out the way we had hoped. We can stay focused on blaming what hasn’t worked, focusing our attention and energy on the doors that are closing, and give away our power. Or, we can reclaim our power by stepping through this new door that is opening! It is time to begin anew! It’s time to join together to take charge of our lives and have a strong voice in the course of our recovery.

Under the direction of the consumer-driven Transitional Planning Group (TPG), I am reaching out to organize people who are in recovery from the effects of mental illness. I, personally, know that everyone’s walk through recovery is different; recovery is not one-size-fits-all. I, also, am well aware of the difficulties and process of organizing consumers to produce a change. As an Outreach Worker for the Consumer Council System, as well as a consumer of mental health services, I know from first hand experience about giving my power away to others, but I am fortunate enough to have reclaimed my power. I am on a personal mission to be a catalyst for growth and change in consumers’ lives. I believe that if we consumers gather together with purpose, become educated and strategize, we can create change. It begins with each of us. It is possible to form a successful group of mental health consumer advocates. For such a group to be taken seriously, we must get organized and get to the table and be heard. The emerging new Consumer Council System offers us this opportunity.

Here is what I am hoping you might do. I would like to speak with you, and other consumers, about how your experience can impact your community, your recovery and the mental health system. Would you be willing to serve as a bridge to help me reach out to other consumers? Perhaps I can come to your social club, peer center or other consumer events, programs and activities that you might be part of, to share how all of you can be a part of the new Consumer Council System (CCS).

Please contact me to set a date to visit your group. My phone number is 699-7242 and my email address is alex@transformationinme.org. Be sure to save the date of Tuesday, May 8, 2007 to join consumers from our region at a day long conference that begins the emergence of our new Consumer Council System. Together, we are the creators of the form this new system is to take.

Thank you for your time, and in advance, for helping to create positive change towards Transformation in Maine! Transformation in "me", Transformation in Maine – We are the change agents and the change begins with each one of us!

Sincerely,

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