EleMental represents an ever growing collective of visionaries from around the world who are actively
working to promote wellness, recovery and thriving led by an underpinning philosophy that mental distress
that mental distress is a human experience which should not be used to define an individual, nor does it warrant a
medical label.
Values Statement
Based on our own experiences, work and research and that of other leading world experts we firmly dispute
the reductionist theories, the medical language and the oppression of maintenance model systems. Subtle and non-subtle forms of discrimination and stigma are inherent within mental health systems to the point that, in reality, they are often regimes which coerce, control, trap and punish the person in distress.We believe that this is an affront to the dignity of the individual and needs to be addressed.
EleMental believes that;
• The experiences are unique to the individual and the person’s right to an explanation and understanding of those experiences is paramount.
• The distress must be considered in the context of the person’s life experiences, i.e. within social and environmental frameworks.
• People who experience mental distress have within them the capacity to recover and thrive. Organisations and professionals are there as guides but do not own that recovery process.
The individual should therefore determine their own journey as the expert of their own experiences.
This can be achieved by;
• Speaking out and challenging oppression, coercion, stigmatisation, myths and assumptions.
• EleMental taking an active lead as the channel for which the voices of people who dispute the medicalisation of misery can be heard.
• Educating the individual experiencing distress in Recovery / Thriving skills and competencies to reclaim their lives and emancipate themselves.
• Educating mental health workers and supporters to be competent in recovery skills and knowledgeable of the elements necessary for recovery and thriving.
• Educating a wider populace on all the above.
Read more here : http://www.elemental.org.uk
Phoenix is the editor of this site and was diagnosed with bipolar twenty years ago. In between 8 periods of illness and hospitalisation she trained as a garden designer and was a awarded an RHS Diploma, gained a first class degree in Cultural Studies and a Certificate in Education that enables her to lecture in Recovery in Mental Health to psychiatric nurse students and mental health professionals at universities.
Phoenix leads a diverse life which she attributes to Wellness Recovery Action Planning and all aspects of Recovery. In the last 2 years she performed stand up comedy. Laughter truly is the best medicine! Now she is concentrating on being involved in improving conditions for inpatients and service receivers trustwide. And training in WRAP, Recovery Star and the new Advanced Statement and some gardening for health. Also with some great new art projects. 
