A national user/survivor organization. Members do not state their status when becoming members. The organization is open for everyone who supports its cause. The majority of members have lived experience with psychiatry and it is stated in the organizational rules that a majority of the Board and any governing body shall be users/survivors.
Organizational structure
The annual General assembly is electing one Chairperson and a Board of 6 members that are responsible for one year. The organization also has local groups with elected Boards in the counties Oslo and Rogaland. The Board can appoint independent working groups, that work under supervision of the Board.
Objectives and aims
WSO works based on the principal program adopted by the GA and in accordance with the existing formal rules. The principal program states: WSO represents a traditionally disempowered group, that has experienced coercion, assault and damaging treatment in psychiatry. Our main goal is to make sure that our voice is heard and given significance in all contexts that affect us and our lives.
Nothing about us without us!
WSO works for:
- The rights of current and former users and survivors of psychiatry, as full citizens in society, both in legal, health and social policy
- Focus on and respect for the human rights of people with psychosocial disabilities.
- Against coercion and other forms of oppression in psychiatry.
- Against compulsory treatment. All treatment should be based on the free and informed consent.
- Evaluation and change of current treatments in mental health care. We are working to make room for new treatments that are less based on the medical model of mental health.
- Peer-support between members and others in our target audience.
- Real user involvement and user management on all levels.
The principal program has also separate goals on: Human Rights and CRPD, Coercion and abuse, legal framework, discrimination and stigma, information and disclosure, Alternatives, Peer-work and International work.
Activities:
WSO has a wide range of activities, but our focal point has been on the national political work to change legislation and policy, and human rights work.
Our office is open 3 days a week for guidance and advocacy by phone
and personal attendance.
Some key words for our work:
Information to the public about psychotropic drugs and other harmful psychiatric treatment.
Political work towards the government in order to change policy and legal framework.
Peer-work and social activities in order to support and empower members.
Human rights work at the UN level, national shadow reporting, presence in the national human rights work and lobbying.
Sources of funding:
The main source of funding is governmental support. WSO receives money from 2 governmental offices: the Health directory and Directory for Children, Equality and Inclusion. Other sources of funding include projects, membership fees and donations. WSO doesn’t accept money from the pharmaceutical industry.
Address:
Møllergata 12, 0179 Oslo, Norway
+4722413590
E-mail:
post@wso.no
Website:
Representative:
Håkon Rian Ueland, Chair
Contact e-mail: leder@wso.no
Individual members in Norway:
Ellingsdalen, Mette mette.elling@gmail.com
Keim, Walter Walter.keim@gmail.com
Skree, Liv liv.skree@hotmail.com