Models of Health Care
          
          Globally, as the century turns, the in-use health care model
          is moving away from a pattern of disease, need, and
          authoritative medical intervention.  Driven by a wish to
          control costs, health care designs are pointing toward 
          starting with non-traditional alternatives and more patient
          responsibility, choice, and information.  Spending on
          alternative medicine has increased 69% since 1989*.  Current
          ideas of medical necessity are not the first choice but the
          last resort.
          
          Especially in mental health, we are moving away from the
          current mental health model of shunning and shaming people
          who experience mood swings, fear, voices and visions.
          
          We are moving towards wellness -- an accommodation,
          inclusion and recovery model of independence, mutual support
          and mutual education. 
          
          It could add to the momentum for alternatives if people who
          experience mood swings, fear, voices and visions acted as if
          the vision of integration and alternatives were universally
          in place.   By expecting options and choice, by questioning
          when they are not in place, we can raise levels of awareness
          in others and in ourselves.  This will help to make the
          changes really happen.  To actualize our vision, we need to
          persist in walking our talk.
          
          
          
          * *Wall St Journal*, April 14, 1997, B1.