Examine individual changes

'{{about|the "Icarus" mental health concept|other uses of the phrase "Project Icarus"|Icarus (disambiguation)}} '''The Icarus Project''' is a media and activist endeavor broadly aligned to [[anti-psychiatry]], arguing that [[mental illness]] should actually be regarded as "dangerous gifts". The name is derived from [[Icarus]], a hero in [[Greek mythology]], and is metaphorically used to convey that these experiences can lead to "potential[ly] flying dangerously close to the sun." <ref name=theicarusproject1>theicarusproject [http://www.theicarusproject.net/icarus-organizational/origins-and-purpose organizational/origins-and-purpose] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019034311/http://www.theicarusproject.net/icarus-organizational/origins-and-purpose |date=October 19, 2007 }}</ref> ==History== In 2002, musician [[Sascha Scatter|Sascha Altman DuBrul]] wrote "Bipolar World", an article published in the ''[[San Francisco Bay Guardian]]''. The article described his experiences being diagnosed with [[bipolar disorder]]. Among the dozens of e-mails and other correspondence that he received after this publication was a letter from Ashley McNamara, now known as Jacks, an artist and writer who identified strongly with DuBrul's experiences.<ref name=theicarusproject1/> DuBrul and McNamara corresponded for a few weeks before finally meeting in person and deciding to start The Icarus Project with musician-activist [[Bonfire Madigan Shive]].<ref name="mutha-magazine">{{cite web | url=http://muthamagazine.com/2014/05/mutha-interviews-bonfire-madigan-shive/ | title=Mutha Interviews Bonfire Madigan Shive | work=Mutha Magazine | date=May 12, 2014 | accessdate=January 1, 2015 | author=Packebush, Nina}}</ref> DuBrul has been quoted as saying that he has "superpowers" due to his alleged acute sensitivity to his surroundings.<ref name="Itzenson2005">[https://web.archive.org/web/20070124131211/http://jscms.jrn.columbia.edu/cns/2005-11-01/itzenson-bipolardisorder Columbia News Service, Nov 1, 2005 - A new movement views bipolar disorder as a dangerous gift - By Jennifer Itzenson]</ref> The first step, they decided, was creating a website where people who identified with "bipolar and other 'mental illness' [could] find real community and contribute to it."<ref>[http://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/off-their-meds/ News feature], ''East Bay Express'', 3 August 2005.</ref> ==Mission== The Icarus Project's stated aims are to provide a viable alternative to current methods of approaching and treating mental illnesses. The national Icarus Collective staff is set up to support local groups instead of creating the smaller organizations themselves. The responsibilities of the local group are to gather people locally for support, education, activism, and access to alternatives to mainstream medical diagnosis and treatment.<ref name=theicarusproject2>[http://www.theicarusproject.net/about-us/icarus-project-mission-statement theicarusproject.net]</ref> The Project advocates self-determination and caution when approaching psychiatric care. It encourages [[harm reduction]], alternatives to the prevailing medical model that is accepted by the vast majority of mental health professionals, and self-determination in treatment and diagnosis. Journalist Jennifer Itzenson<ref name="Itzenson2005"/> notes that the Icarus Project accepts those with a wide range of perspectives on mental health issues, but also describes "an edge of militancy within the group," particularly among those who reject medication. Itzenson also writes that while medical professionals applaud groups like the Icarus Project for providing a sense of support and community, and combating [[social stigma]]s related to bipolar and other mental health issues, the group's questioning of the medical paradigm is "misguided" and that rejecting medication is a "potentially fatal choice" for those with bipolar disorder. As of early 2016, none of the staff or advisory council of the Icarus Project have any training, education, certification or licensing in any medical, mental health, social work or related disciplines. The groups's leadership and members tend to describe themselves as artists and other creative types.<ref name="Itzenson2005"/> ==Structure / funding== The Icarus Project is currently under the fiscal sponsorship of FJC, a non-profit 501(c)3 umbrella organization arm of an investment firm, based in New York City. The Icarus Project currently gets the bulk of its money from foundation grants, but also has many individual donors. There has been considerable talk for many years of alternate funding structures, and efforts are currently underway to explore 501c3 and cooperative structures. The Icarus Project maintains a financial transparency page which is current as of 2010, receiving grants totaling $16,000 and individual donations of about $3,500.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theicarusproject.net/financialtransparency |title=TIP: Financial Reports |publisher=The Icarus Project |date= |accessdate=2010-08-11}}</ref> The Icarus Project does not accept funding from [[pharmaceutical companies]].<ref name=theicarusproject2/> ==The Icarus Project network== A full listing of local Icarus affiliated groups can be found on The Icarus Project's website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theicarusproject.net/forums/viewforum.php?f=84 |title=View Forum - Local Meetups and Community Organizing |publisher=Icarus Project |date= |accessdate=2010-08-11}}</ref> Some of the local groups currently meet in * Anchorage, Alaska * Asheville, North Carolina * Atlanta, Georgia * Boston, Massachusetts * Chicago, Illinois * Los Angeles, California (Wildflowers' Movement)<ref>{{cite web|title=Wildflowers' Movement: Mindful Peer Support, Self-Awareness, and Radical Wellness|url=http://www.wildflowersmovement.com/|website=Wildflowers' Movement|accessdate=15 April 2017}}</ref> * Minneapolis, Minnesota * Madison, Wisconsin * New York City, New York * Northampton, Massachusetts (Freedom Center) * Philadelphia, Pennsylvania * Portland, Oregon * San Francisco (Bay Area), California * Columbus, Ohio * Gainesville, Florida ==Media mentions== The Icarus Project has been mentioned in passing in ''The New York Times'' as a resource for those who "don't want to 'get better'",<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/18/magazine/18fob-Medium-t.html | work=The New York Times | title=Psycho-Babble - An Online Support Group | first=Virginia | last=Heffernan | date=2010-04-16}}</ref> by ''Frontline 20/20'', and many local media outlets.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jill Carlson on Friday 07/17/2009, (1) Comment |url=http://isthmus.com/isthmus/article.php?article=26420 |title=Saying no to drugs with Mad Pride - Isthmus &#124; The Daily Page |publisher=Isthmus |date=2009-07-17 |accessdate=2010-08-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Jansen |first=Steve |url=http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/jackalope/2010/07/mental_health_collective_inaug.php |title=Mental Health Collective Inaugural Meeting - Phoenix Art - Jackalope Ranch |publisher=Blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com |date=2010-07-30 |accessdate=2010-08-11}}</ref> ==Publications== * ''Navigating the Space Between Brilliance and Madness; A Reader and Roadmap of Bipolar Worlds'', was self-published by the Icarus Project in March 2004. The book is currently in its 6th printing.<ref>[http://www.theicarusproject.net/publications/navigating-the-space-between-brilliance-and-madness-reader publications] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030173322/http://www.theicarusproject.net/publications/navigating-the-space-between-brilliance-and-madness-reader |date=October 30, 2007 }}</ref> * Maryse Mitchell-Brody (2007). 'The Icarus Project: Dangerous Gifts, Iridescent Visions and Mad Community Alternatives'. In Peter Stastny & Peter Lehmann (Eds.), ''Alternatives Beyond Psychiatry'' (pp.&nbsp;137–145). Berlin / Eugene / Shrewsbury: Peter Lehmann Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9545428-1-8 (UK), ISBN 978-0-9788399-1-8 (USA) * Maryse Mitchell-Brody (2007). 'Das Ikarus-Projekt. Gefährliche Begabungen, schillernde Visionen und eine Gemeinschaft von Verrückten'. In Peter Lehmann & Peter Stastny (Eds.), ''Statt Psychiatrie 2'' (pp.&nbsp;141–149). Berlin / Eugene / Shrewsbury: Antipsychiatrieverlag. ISBN 978-3-925931-38-3. * In July, 2006, The Icarus Project released the first draft of ''Friends Make the Best Medicine: A Guide to Creating Community Mental Health Support Networks''.<ref>[http://www.theicarusproject.net/icarus-downloads/friends-make-the-best-medicinel]{{Dead link|date=August 2010}}</ref> * In 2008 The Icarus Project released ''Through the Labyrinth; A Harm Reduction Guide to Coming Off Psychiatric Drugs'', and in 2009 this publication was translated into Spanish and German and made available for free download on the Icarus Project website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theicarusproject.net/alternative-treatments/harm-reduction-guide-to-coming-off-psychiatric-drugs |title=Harm Reduction Guide To Coming Off Psychiatric Drugs & Withdrawal |publisher=The Icarus Project |date=2008-04-23 |accessdate=2010-08-11}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}} ==External links== * {{official website|http://theicarusproject.net/}} * [https://archive.is/20120724154955/http://www.eastbayexpress.com/2005-08-03/news/off-their-meds/ East Bay Express, August 3, 2005 - Off Their Meds - Modern psychiatrists prescribe pills for hundreds of "biological" disorders. The radical mental health movement isn't so sure - By Stefanie Kalem] * [http://www.mindfreedom.org/campaign/media/mfradio/show/sascha-debrul-guest MindFreedom Radio - Sascha DuBrul of Icarus Project Next Guest on MF Radio] {{Anti-psychiatry}} [[Category:Activism]] [[Category:Advocacy groups]] [[Category:Anti-psychiatry]] [[Category:Community organizing]] [[Category:Disability rights organizations]] [[Category:DIY culture]] [[Category:Health and disability rights organizations in the United States]] [[Category:Zines]] [[Category:Bipolar disorder]] [[Category:Mental health activists]]'