Vanaheim Group | inspiring real choice

Vanaheim Group is committed to offering and inspiring alternatives to or within the mental illness sector.
Our philosophy is one of autonomy and freedom.

We consider that the medical labeling of problems in living is disempowering and scientifically invalid;
involuntary or poorly informed psychiatric treatment conflicts with human rights.

Vanaheim Group believes every human being should be offered freedom of opinion and choice
and the freedom to take responsibility for one's own actions and beliefs.

Press Gallery

*NEW* A survivor of Victoria's coercive CTOs shares his thoughts:

During the 2010 Federal Election, the grassroots community organisation GetUp! has pledged support for specific mental health reforms. View concerns shared by Vanaheim Group and others here.

View Vanaheim Group's important announcement in respect of Jim Gottstein, Zyprexa and Eli Lilly.

Research & Policy

Policy Papers

Moving towards a Human Rights Paradigm - Revisited - Submission in response to the draft Mental Health Bill 2010. download pdf - 152kb

Moving towards a Human Rights Paradigm - Submission to the Review of the Mental Health Act 1986 (Vic). download pdf - 235kb

Consequences of Financial Interests in the Leading Theory of Mental Illness. download pdf - 272kb

Journal Articles

'The Effect of Clinical Judgment in Decision-Making: the Mental Health Act 1986 (Vic) and the Mental Health Review Board' (2006) 8(1) Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry 43. download pdf - 756kb

'Representing the Mentally Ill: The critical role of advocacy under the Mental Health Act 1986 (Vic)' (2004) 29(4) Alt LJ 174. download pdf - 160kb

Other Resources

Informed Consent to Psychiatric Treatment

Model informed consent forms:
1) Psychiatric drugs. download pdf - 76kb;
2) Electroshock (ECT). download pdf - 52kb.

What People Need to Know about Psychiatric Drugs - http://www.psychmedaware.org/

Two alternative view points: Psychotropic Drugs and Crises - http://www.moshersoteria.com/articles/psychotropic-drugs-and-crises/

Collection of scientific research on psychiatric treatment:http://psychrights.org/index.htm

Withdrawing From Psychiatric Treatment

Harm Reduction Guide to Coming Off Psychiatric Drugs. download pdf - 2.3MB (external link)

Australian Alternatives

Vanaheim Group lists the following organisations for information only. You should make your own enquiries and exercise your own judgement in determining whether they will meet your needs.

Eagle's Wings Foundation Inc

A Victorian rural Christian residential recovery program for women who are motivated for change to take place in their lives.

Phone (03) 5726 5060.

Teen Challenge

In several Australian States, this Christian rehabilitation program gives young people (15 - 30 yo) who struggle with life-controlling problems a second chance at life. Read more...

Thinking About Suicide blog

This blog is the companion to David Webb's book of the same name which calls for a broad community conversation about suicide. Read more...

Schizophrenia Drug-free Crisis Centre & Helpline

Based in Adelaide, this service offers soul centred drug free psychiatric services. Read more...

Soteria4Oz

This blog has been set up to work towards Soteria based psychiatric alternatives in Australia. Read more...

Speed Up & Sit Still

Martin Whitely, a Western Australian politician, has had unprecedented success tackling the ADHD Industry. Read more...

International Alternatives

MindFreedom Support Coalition International - www.mindfreedom.org

The Freedom Center - www.freedom-center.org

Law Project for Psychiatric Rights (PsychRights) - www.psychrights.org

Madness Radio: voices and visions from outside mental health - http://www.madnessradio.net

The International Society for Ethical Psychiatry and Psychology - www.psychintegrity.org

Sequoia Psychotherapy Center - www.medsfree.com

Thomas Szasz - www.szasz.com