An Ex-Patient/Practitioner's Comments on Professional- and Consumerisms,with Poetry

SUMMARY

This article, more like a stream of consciousness or conversation, touches on a personal story and leads to a clinical/political stance. It seeks to convey some of the difficulties in the field's quest to practice “consumerism,” the inclusion of mental health service recipients and ex-patients in all aspects of the mental health system. It tells part of the author's story as an ex-patient who has professionalized in the field, and offers readers the chance to ponder their roles relative to the recent phenomenon of asking consumers to participate. It concludes with poetry meant to be read as a letter to mental health workers from a composite client who seeks their support.