
David W. Oaks is a highly sought after authority on psychiatric rights in the mental health system and advocates forcefully for the dignity and independence of patients and their families. His perspective is–and always has been–deeply-rooted in an unwavering belief in the principles of informed consent and freedom to choose.
His public speaking has taken him to a wide range of places in the world, including Canada, Eastern and Western Europe, Africa, Central and South America and, of course, much of the U.S.
David also conducts workshops and specialized training for social change activists.
Testimonials for David’s work as workshop organizer and public speaker.
Sample Speeches
1) David Oaks at Occupy the American Psychiatric Association, 5/5/2012
2) David Oaks, MindFreedom International: Mental Health Choice and Empowerment (Taped Feb. 2008 in Portland, OR)
Here is a short clip from a panel representing mental health consumers and psychiatric survivors who spoke on how to further organize for change in the mental health system.
More about David
To contact Mr. Oaks for speaking engagements or other public appearances, please email David. You can also follow David on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidwoaks
I can relate to your story in so many ways and would love to be able to talk to you about my story and see if you could help me figure out how to better deal with my issues after being mistreated at Duke and and not being diagnosed with bipolar they medicated me with lithium which like to lithium toxicity and all that comes with that the results were impatient and electroconvulsive therapy. I also have PTSD and chronic pain I am waiting to discuss with my spinal surgeon my options after he reviews 3 MRIS of my full spine good deal with the deteriorating disc between my fusions failed back surgery syndrome. I’ve been dealing with this for over 25 years in spite of all these issues and not having a pain free day for a quarter of a century I have hope for Change