Mad in America: Rethinking Mental Health

The Mad in America podcast, hosted by James Moore, examines mental health with a critical eye by speaking with psychologists, psychiatrists and people with lived experience.

When you hear such conversations, you realise that much of what is believed to be settled in mental health is actually up for debate. Is mental health a matter of faulty biology or is there more to it? Are the treatments used in psychiatry helpful or harmful in the long term? Are psychiatric diagnoses reliable? With the help of our guests, we examine these questions and so much more.

This podcast is part of Mad in America’s mission to serve as a catalyst for rethinking psychiatric care and mental health. We believe that the current drug-based paradigm of care has failed our society and that scientific research, as well as the lived experience of those who have been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder, calls for profound change.

On the podcast over the coming weeks, we will have interviews with experts and those with lived experience of the psychiatric system. Thank you for joining us as we discuss the many issues around rethinking mental health around the world.

For more information visit madinamerica.com

Pratima Singh - Exploring Alternatives to Biological Psychiatry

Jul 29, 2017

This week, we interview Dr. Pratima Singh. Dr. Singh completed her medical degree in India, before moving to the UK to work at the Maudsley NHS Hospital in London as an adult Psychiatrist. Dr. Singh has a deep interest in alternatives to biological approaches to psychiatry and the use of psychotropic medications.

I was...

Monica Cassani - Achieving Health in Body, Mind and Spirit

Jul 22, 2017

This week, we have an interview with Monica Cassani. Monica has seen the mental health system from both sides – as a social worker and as a person whose life was severely ruptured by psychiatric drugs. She writes critically about the system, as well as holistic pathways of healing without medication.

Monica’s...

Will Hall - A Harm Reduction Approach to Mental Health and Wellbeing

Jul 15, 2017

This week, we have an interview with Will Hall. Will is a mental health advocate, counsellor, writer, and teacher. Will advocates the recovery approach to mental illness and is recognised internationally as an innovator in the treatment and social response to psychosis.

In 2001, he co-founded the Freedom Center and from...

World Benzodiazepine Awareness Day 2017 - Raising Global Understanding

Jul 11, 2017

This week, we have a special episode to join in with the events being held for World Benzodiazepine Awareness Day.

World Benzodiazepine Awareness Day seeks to raise global awareness of iatrogenic benzodiazepine dependence, the dangers of its adverse effects and the associated withdrawal syndrome, which can last for...

Mo Hannah - Changing the Teaching of the Biological Model

Jul 8, 2017

This week on the Mad in America podcast, we talk to Dr. Maureen (Mo) Hannah.

Mo is a Professor of Psychology at Siena College, New York, where she has taught since 1992. She is a licensed New York State psychologist practicing with older adolescents and adults.

Mo is an Advanced Imago Relationship therapy Clinician and...