Open Dialogue International Community Forum

Online free symposium on Political Abuses of Psychiatry - Ongoing Cases Worldwide

International Symposium: Political Abuses of Psychiatry - Ongoing Cases Worldwide

Sessions on the 1st, 2nd and 27th of October, and 10th and 11th of November.
Online, free attend ance , 16-20h CEST (Berlin time), 10-14h (New York time).

Political abuse of psychiatry, characterized by the inappropriate application of psychiatric diagnosis, treatment, and institutionalization for political or social motives, remains an urgent and globally relevant concern. Despite widespread condemnation, these alarming practices persist in various forms across the globe. In response to this critical issue, this symposium has been organized as a platform for in-depth discussions, comprehensive talks, and insightful presentations, fostering a robust exchange of knowledge and experiences. By bringing together leading experts, survivors and advocates, the event aims to raise awareness, promote dialogue, help focus the spotlight on the problem and inspire concrete action to address this pervasive issue and its most dire consequences.
Over five days, the event will feature more than fifteen high-profile speakers, including authorities such as Professor Dainius Pūras, former United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; Professor Derek Summerfield, former Government Medical Officer in Zimbabwe and current member of the Executive Committee of the Transcultural Special Interest Group of the Royal College of Psychiatry; Dr David Matas, former Law Clerk to the Chief Justice of Canada, member of Stop Organ Transplants Abuse in China and Senior Counsel to B’nai Brith Canada; professor Hel Spandler, editor of Asylum magazine and expert in the emerging field of Mad Studies, Professor Manuel Llorens, psychologist from Caracas, Venezuela, author of the influential book “Politically Reflective Psychotherapy”; along with other expert voices from academia, dissident and activist groups alike, with Safeguard Defenders and MindFreedom International being some of the most notable and influential to present at the symposium.

For event details and registration, please visit: https://abuse.health.int.eu.org

Suggested promotional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL-lYvngC5Y

Suggested promotional poster:

Thanks for your attention and spreading the news on the event.

Kindest regards,

Enric Garcıa Torrents M.Sc.

Formación de Profesorado Universitario, Ministerio de Universidades
Medical Anthropology Research Center, Universitat Rovira i Virgili
Institute for Globally Distributed Open Research and Education

Sharing this in case anyone is interested. We have recordings of all previous sessions, and tomorrow and Saturday presentations on subjects such as tapering strips by Dr. Peter Groot, violences in the mental healthcare systems of the EU by Drs. Peter Lehmann, Craig Newnes and Alejandra Gandolfi, etcera. As stated on the initial post, all free of charge. Last day is devoted to gender violence, LGBTQ+ and restorative justice. Would appreciate any help promoting and raising awareness, in some of the events we had several presenters who have had their life threatened: there is a need for better support networks in place to tackle the root of the problems and let people speak freely. Not only in therapeutic settings, yet for many that would be a much needed starting point. Thanks for the work on Open Dialogue, if anyone wishes to share experiences I will be recording interviews post-event with experts willing to share.

All links are here: