Vermont Psychiatric Survivors Faces Uncertain Future After Grant Loss
In a shocking turn of events, the future of Vermont Psychiatric Survivors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for the rights of those marginalized by psychiatric diagnoses, hangs in the balance. The group, which has been a pillar in Vermont’s peer advocacy world since 1983, recently lost a state grant that has been its main source of funding for years. This loss has raised serious doubts about the organization’s ability to continue its vital work.
Concerns Over Organizational Performance
The Department of Mental Health in Vermont decided to award the grant, which totaled $607,375 for 12 months, to a new organization this summer after concerns were raised about Vermont Psychiatric Survivors’ performance. A letter signed by 14 members of Vermont’s psychiatric survivors community highlighted several areas where the organization was allegedly failing to fulfill its duties. These included a lack of participation in important conversations, failure to appoint members to key boards and committees, and delays in supporting community projects.
The letter also raised concerns about the group’s fiscal management, hiring practices, organizational culture, and adherence to its own by-laws. While Zachary Hughes, the vice president of the Vermont Psychiatric Survivors board, acknowledged that there have been challenges, he refuted some of the claims made in the letter, stating that the organization had representatives on certain state boards and committees.
Grant Awarded to New Organization
Despite Vermont Psychiatric Survivors’ efforts to address these concerns and restructure, the Department of Mental Health opted to award the grant to a new organization called MadFreedom Advocates. This decision came after a rigorous evaluation process, during which state employees expressed doubts about Vermont Psychiatric Survivors’ capacity to fulfill the grant requirements. The new organization, MadFreedom Advocates, describes itself as a grassroots, non-profit organization run by and for psychiatric survivors and others marginalized by the mental health system.
While the decision to award the grant to MadFreedom Advocates was based solely on the strength of the proposal, some believe that the concerns raised in the letter influenced the outcome. However, regardless of this setback, Zachary Hughes remains committed to keeping Vermont Psychiatric Survivors operational and continuing its important work.
A Learning Experience and a Pledge to Persist
Despite the challenges and uncertainties facing Vermont Psychiatric Survivors, Zachary Hughes sees this experience as a learning opportunity for the organization. He acknowledges that there have been issues in the past but remains optimistic about the future. Hughes is determined to navigate through these difficult times and ensure that Vermont Psychiatric Survivors remains a beacon of hope and support for those in need.
