Norsehorse AKA Morgan Brown is a successful and foresighted activist who keeps three blogs, Vermont Watch, Montpelier Matters, and Beyond Vermont State Hospital. Though this interview occurred the week before Irene hit us, Morgan’s insights into the state of mental health services in Vermont remain salient. For he has not merely been calling for the shutdown of Vermont State Hospital, he is recommending a community-based treatment model. If you agree with him, please sign this petition:
We the undersigned petition Governor Peter Shumlin of the State of Vermont to support the building of a more robust community-based mental health services system, including a major increase in peer run alternative services and supports as well as more affordable housing opportunities, in order to foster a holistic and healing, cross-disabilities, independent living, recovery-based and trauma-informed model, rather than building a new Vermont State Hospital (VSH).
When I first interviewed Morgan way back in the dark days of the Douglas administration, he was working on saving the state’s Housing Coordinator position. Not only did that position survive the chopping block, but that Coordinator actually assisted Morgan in securing permanent housing.
Last Spring, Morgan noticed that a Governor’s Housing the Homeless Summit was open only to stakeholders. Morgan acted quickly and got the Summit open the public.
Over the Summer and Fall, Morgan tracked Montpelier’s Taser Committee hearings. Just this month, Montpelier’s Police Chief withdrew his request for tasers.
Now Morgan would be the first to say that these successes were group efforts (though I think he pretty much solely got the Housing Summit open to the public.)
So when Morgan challenges the Shumlin Administration’s intent on building a new State Hospital, you have believe that maybe citizen activism could turn the tide!
Thank you Mike. Much appreciated.