This is a unique collection of poems written by and for people who have survived our mental health system and the diagnostic process that is used to categorise and treat mental and emotional distress. In October 2016, Jo Watson launched A Disorder for Everyone (AD4E) - an international campaign to challenge the culture of psychiatric diagnosis and the labelling of expressions of emotional distress as medical disorders. Since then hundreds of people have attended AD4E events all over the UK, and thousands have joined the campaign Facebook group 'Drop the Disorder!' What began as a shout of protest has become an international roar. Poetry has long been used to give voice to resistance and to drive change in all kinds of social movements, and it is a central aspect of this campaign as well. It has been at the heart of every AD4E event and, more recently, several online poetry events have brought together poets and poetry-lovers from across the globe under the Drop the Disorder! banner. We Are the Change-Makers is a collection of these and other poems that seek to describe the otherwise inexpressible and challenge the power of psychiatry that misrepresents and medicates what it does not understand.

About the Author
Jo Watson is a psychotherapist, trainer, speaker and activist. Her activism is motivated by a belief that emotional distress is caused by what is experienced and largely rooted in social factors. Jo founded the Facebook group 'Drop The Disorder!' in September 2016. She is part of the madintheuk.com team and editor of Drop the Disorder! Challenging the culture of psychiatric diagnosis (PCCS Books, 2019). Jo is the organiser of the A Disorder For Everyone events (adisorder4everyone.com) and can be found on Twitter @dropthedisorder

Reviews
'What a rollercoaster of emotions! These are poems of truth, pain and power reclaimed. I salute the poets for their courage.' Deborah Alma, Emergency Poet and founder of the Poetry Pharmacy; 'These are the voices of the rebel souls, the truth tellers, the defiant and the righteous...This book is rich, full and will take you on a journey with no turning back. You will be transformed forever.' Akima Thomas, OBE, founder and clinical director, Women and Girls Network. / 'What a rollercoaster of emotions! These are poems of truth, pain and power reclaimed. I salute the poets for their courage.' Deborah Alma, Emergency Poet and founder of the Poetry Pharmacy.



Book Information
ISBN 9781910919644
Author Jo Watson
Format Paperback
Page Count 144
Imprint PCCS Books
Publisher PCCS Books
Weight(grams) 200g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 138mm * 10mm