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(Dr. Edmunds) is a man of high integrity. He is firm in his convictions and not easily swayed by political pressure or public opinion. Regarding theology, I think these qualities are quintessential as the spirit speaks from the inside out, and a truly religious man must have the courage to trust and follow his inner guidance. Dan is also a very clear thinker and writer. And shows plenty of initiative. I especially admire his devotion to defending and supporting the spirited nature of our young people. I know he has a wealth of experience working with people, and I know he communicates his ideas well. He is not a closed system, but able to listen and open to new ideas.
-John Breeding, Ph.D., psychologist and author of the "Wildest Colts Make the Best Horses" and founder of Texans for Safe Education
I think (Dr. Edmunds') insights are RIGHT ON and deserve a place in canon psychological, growth, and child development texts. The patterns described and the reactions I experienced, and have witnessed others experiencing, could not have been more accurate and profound. I think a great goal would be entirely replacing the DSM with the patterns and reactions you observed because those present dilemmas that can actually be nurtured and solved.
-J.K.
"I have been very impressed with (Dr. Edmunds') work ethic and clinical skills...He has an innate ability to connect with many families and help them through multiple complicated issues."- F.A. Bresser, L.S.W.
(Dr. Edmunds) is bright, thoughtful, often wry, and utterly responsible."
Dennis E. Owen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Religion
University of Florida- Gainesville, FL
I wish you every success with your important work for those unfortunate enough to be labeled 'mentally ill'. So many of us have been guinea pigs because the medical profession have made diseases which do not exist out of human problems in the pursuit of profit.It is good too to hear you and your organization exist.
In support and solidarity,
Mary Maddock
MindFreedom Ireland
MIND FREEDOM IRELAND
Dear Dr. Edmunds:
I agree with you- many of the problems we see around us are either
'societal' or 'systems' problems. However I also believe, very strongly,
that individuals have a huge responsibility in resisting some of the
temptations on offer and behaving ethically. In countries like mine,
where there are virtually no checks on physicians and corruption is the
norm, this is a huge problem.
I would be happy to collaborate with you in any way I can. Perhaps we
can think about some ideas how to take this forward. You would be most
welcome to make a presentation at our university- whenever the
opportunity arises.
In the meantime, let's keep the dialogue going. I am attaching another
one of my articles that you may find relevant.
With best wishes
Dr. Murad M Khan, MRCPsych
Professor
Department of Psychiatry
Aga Khan University
PO Box 3500, Stadium Road
Karachi-74800
PAKISTAN
_______________________________________________________________________________
Consultation
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
BIO-PSYCHIATRY ILLUMINATED- THE ADHD REPORT (featuring the work of Dr. Dan L. Edmunds)
FEEDBACK FROM CLIENTS, PROFESSIONALS, AND OTHERS
Dr. Edmunds presented on the work of the International Center for Humane Psychiatry and the impact of current mental health practice on children on August 20, 2008 on the program THE MENTAL HEALTH EDGE WTAN-AM RADIO in Clearwater, Florida.
LISTEN TO PROGRAM
Dr. Edmunds was a presenter on the TALK OF CONNECTICUT WRDC-AM RADIO in Hartford, Connecticut on July 21, 2008 at 2:30pm addressing issues of informed consent and human rights in the mental health system.
WRDC-AM HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT RADIO BROADCAST WITH DR. D.L. EDMUNDS
DR. EDMUNDS INTERVIEW ON NATIONALLY SYNDICATED RADIO PROGRAM 'TAKE AMERICA BACK'
DEFENSE FOR CHILDREN RADIO INTERVIEW WITH DR. D.L. EDMUNDS
LISTEN TO RADIO INTERVIEW - Melbourne, Florida radio interview with Dr. D.L. Edmunds regarding Psychiatry and Religion Dr. Edmunds was a keynote speaker at the opening of an exhibit in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on psychiatric abuse held July 13, 2008.
Youth Advocacy Program a relief to parents- Scranton Times
Police break up 'fight club' in Tunkhannock, PA
NAMI ENHANCES STIGMA- DR. DAN L. EDMUNDS LETTER TO THE SCRANTON TIMES-TRIBUNE 5/2/08
Scholarship program for youth
DR. EDMUNDS QUOTED IN NEWSLETTER FOR WIDER HORIZONS SCHOOL
TRAGEDY SERVES AS A REMINDER- WYOMING COUNTY NEW AGE EXAMINER
Edmunds earns Doctoral degree- Scranton Times
>>
FROM THE SCRANTON TIMES-TRIBUNE:
Focus should be shifted to true rehabilitation
Published: Thursday, January 29, 2009 Updated: Thursday, January 29, 2009 6:08 AM EST Editor: It is a positive development that Luzerne County Judges Mark A. Ciavarella and Michael T. Conahan are being brought to justice for their actions in profiting from placing youth in detention facilities.
However, it is necessary for us to examine the problems inherent with residential and detention facilities themselves. In these settings, youth are placed often under conditions that lead them to further emotional distress. The decisions to place children is often not based on a genuine interest in the child�s best interests, but what will be profitable and the easiest way out of having to actually rehabilitate youth and meet their emotional needs.
It is no wonder that the socio-economically disadvantaged youth are the ones that are so frequently seen in this system. How does placing a child into a detention center or residential facility, which often is geared toward the concept of staff forcing conformity through rewards, punishments and often deprivation, teach a child who seeks to use power inappropriately that this is wrong?
How does a militaristic system teach anything but that children must submit to someone stronger than themselves? It only reinforces wrong ideas about power and domination.
These facilities are bound to create new emotional problems for these children. But the system profits here, as well, because then they are able to label and drug the children and make money in the process of billing for this injustice.
A youth is removed from the home, programmed, and when they conform to the expectations, released back to the setting that led to their distress and misbehavior to begin with. It becomes a vicious cycle.
These facilities are also very costly and their efficacy is questionable. The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law noted the ineffectiveness of these facilities in treatment of youth as well as the many documented abuses that occur in such places.
Community-based options have proven effective and need to be more readily available and implemented.
We need to shift our focus to true rehabilitation and to addressing actual social problems, not locking our children away, drugging them into submission, and ignoring their needs.
DAN L. EDMUNDS, Ed.D.
TUNKHANNOCK
DR. D.L. EDMUNDS INTERVIEWED ON VARIOUS LOCAL AND NATIONALLY SYNDICATED RADIO PROGRAMS
Dr. D.L. Edmunds speaking at event on psychiatric abuse in Niagara Falls, New YorkDr. D.L. Edmunds participated in a follow-up interview discussing informed consent issues for parents, the impact of establishment psychiatry on the lvies of children, and alternatives to psychiatric drugging on the "MENTAL HEALTH EDGE' radio program. This program was broadcast on WTAN-AM in Clearwater, Florida at 8PM EST on Wednesday, January 14th. The archived program can be found at www.thementalhealthedge.com
Dr. D.L. Edmunds interviewed on 'THE MENTAL HEALTH EDGE" radio program. This program aired on WTAN-AM in Clearwater, Florida- August 20, 2008
Dr. D.L. Edmunds was a presenter on the TALK OF CONNECTICUT WRDC-AM RADIO in Hartford, Connecticut on July 21, 2008 addressing issues of informed consent and human rights in the mental health system.
WRDC-AM HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT RADIO BROADCAST WITH DR. D.L. EDMUNDS
DR. EDMUNDS INTERVIEW ON NATIONALLY SYNDICATED RADIO PROGRAM 'TAKE AMERICA BACK'
Dr. D.L. Edmunds interviewed by Denise Marhoefer, director of the Defense for Children Foundation
Dr. Edmunds radio interview in Melbourne, Florida regarding Psychiatry and Spirituality