Mad pride

Mad Pride is a global movement of users and survivors of psychiatry, former and current mental health patients, and their allies. It works to reclaim terms like "mad," "crazy," and "loony," traditionally used as pejoratives, as positive identifiers and sources of pride.

The movement challenges the stigma associated with mental illness and critiques the medical model of mental illness, often seen as pathologizing normal human experiences and emotions. It advocates for self-determination, human rights, and peer support for those labeled with mental illness. Mad Pride seeks to create a more inclusive and accepting society that values neurodiversity and lived experience.

Key tenets of Mad Pride include:

• Challenging Stigma: Actively fighting against negative stereotypes and discrimination based on mental health status.
• Promoting Neurodiversity: Recognizing and celebrating the diversity of human minds and experiences, including those labeled as mentally ill.
• Advocating for Rights: Demanding equal rights and opportunities for people with mental health conditions, including access to housing, employment, and education.
• Empowering Individuals: Encouraging self-advocacy and peer support as alternatives or complements to traditional mental health services.
• Reframing Language: Reclaiming and redefining language used to describe mental health experiences.
• Critiquing the Medical Model: Questioning the dominance of the medical model and advocating for a more holistic and person-centered approach to mental health care.

Mad Pride events often include parades, workshops, performances, and educational activities designed to raise awareness and promote acceptance. The movement is closely aligned with other social justice movements, such as disability rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and anti-racism.