The North East Recovery Learning Community

No Surrender 22

"No Surrender 22" Conference highlights June Activity for the Recovery Learning Community.

NO SURRENDER 22 participants wait for the opening of the conference and Pat Deegan’s remarks.

Over 200 people with lived experience of a psychiatric diagnosis, from Northeastern Massachusetts, gathered on June 16 to celebrate their recovery and their successes; and to learn new skills and enjoy new and old friendships. The theme of the day was "learning through recovery is the key."

The "No Surrender 22" Conference continued a two-decades-old tradition of a sponsored event by the Northeast Independent Living Program (NILP), a non-profit organization that celebrates its 30th year of providing cross-disability peer-run services in the Greater Merrimack Valley area. This year the North East Recovery Learning Community of NILP celebrates the longest running event by and for persons with lived experience in the state.

RLC staff person Ann Burgess helps participants decorate their nametags at NO SURRENDER 22.

The day-long conference drew long-time psychiatric survivors, activists and first-time attendees from the peer recovery movement. The diversity of the participants, representing over 52 communities in the northeast area, spoke volumes about our recovery successes. Participants ranged from residents of group home settings to peer workers with full-time jobs in the mental health field. The event was possible thanks to the commitment, dedication and funding from the Department of Mental Health, private donors and Northeast Independent Living Program's special funds.

One highlight of the day was the keynote speaker, Patricia Deegan, who founded the Services for Mental Health Consumers/Psychiatric Survivors at NILP in 1987. Her keynote address reminded us all about the heroic and horrific history of the struggle of those who came before us for recognition of common humanity and dignity shared by all persons, regardless of perceived need for treatment. The title "We're Standing on the Shoulders of Giants!" eloquently described this struggle for dignity and rights.

Twelve workshops were offered ranging from "Eating for Energy," "Yoga," "Making Money" and several Spanish-language workshops. Many of those who attended felt inspired to go back to their communities to try new activities, voice their opinions, and strive for a better quality of life for themselves and for future generations of persons with lived experience of extreme states or mental health diagnoses.

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