G.A.M.

1. G.A.M. A Global approach to psychiatric medication for Individual and Collective transformation

2. “G.A.M.” – the name & some GAM landmarks. • “Gaining Autonomy with my Medication” • “Gestion Autonome des Médicaments de l’âme” • S.P.M. “self-management of psychiatric medication” • Since 1994: 3 pilot-projects; GAM provincial committee; publications; International Forum in 2007 on GAM practices “Psychotropic Medications: the only answer to suffering?”

3. G.A.M Originators An Alliance between: • Service users – initial impetus. • RRASMQ – Quebec coalition of alternative resources in mental health. • AGIDD-SMQ- Quebec coalition of advocacy groups in mental health. • ERASME – Research team. Lourdes Rodriguez del Barrio, School of Social Work of Université de Montréal.

4. What’s GAM? • At the level of the individual: • A process of learning & understanding medication & its effects on all aspects of a person’s life. • A process of questioning one’s needs & wants with respect to psychiatric medication. • GAM is not an end in itself; it is part of a process of personal development. It cannot be artificially separated or managed apart from that process. • At the collective level: • Integrating this approach in various community agencies and hospitals.

5. The Steps as outlined in theGuide “Taking Back Control” Part 1: • First step: Awakening. “I am a person not an illness!” • Second step: Observing my self. How is my quality of life? (No one can be against having a better quality of life!). (My everyday life; my living conditions; the people around me; my health; my medication – why?;effects of medication on all aspects of my life – positive & negative.)

6. GAM Steps - continued • Third step: Recognizing. What are my basic needs? What are my resources? What are my rights? Learning about my medications – Instrumental: “Critical Guide of Psychiatric Medications” & training “The Other Side of the Pill”. • Fourth step: Choosing. Now is the time to make a decision – adjust; continue; reduce; stop.

7. A Method to reduce/discontinue psychiatric medication Part 2: If I come to the conclusion that my current medication has a negative effect on my Quality of life, this might be the method for me. - My decision; preparation; action plan;my actors;lifeguards;10% rule; “quality of life dose” or “comfort zone”; my self-evaluation scale; log book; withdrawal effects

8. Once upon a time, we had a dream… “Our dream is that people who have had experiences like ours never again become victims of a decision-making system that excludes them, so they can make clear and informed choices and take control of their lives.” Taken from: Taking Back Control

9. 10 Good REASONS:Why GAM shouldn’t just stay in Québec! • It works! So many people have changed their life around with GAM! • It goes to the core of the issue: medication should be there to improve a person’s quality of life and not worsen it! • It gives the different actors a non-confrontational, non-judgemental way to talk about medication by avoiding polarization - anti or pro medication. • No need anymore to talk about compliance! • The symbolic aspects of meds are taken into account. • It’s a collaborative process/alliance of different actors. • It’s a transversal approach. • The expertise of the user (consumer/survivor) is recognized. • Opens up spaces of dialogue around medication and suffering. • It’s about true empowerment of the person and his/her environment.

10. Welcome to the world of GAM… Céline Cyr GAM pioneer & ambassador celine_cyr@sympatico.ca - for inquiries & GAM course www.rrasmq.com - to order GAM guides Action on Alternatives International RECOVERY Perspectives June 5th & 6th, 2008 - Toronto