English

Hugarafl (which is Icelandic for Mindpower) was formed in 2003 by four recovering users/consumers and an  occupational therapist with a lot of experience working within the psychiatric health care system. From the beginning Hugarafl aimed to influence the Icelandic health-care system and sought to utilize the experience of those who have had mental health issues.

Hugarafl has from its inception based its work on the recovery model of Daniel Fisher and Laura Ahern.  It has also systematically relied on the Empowerment ideology, as detailed in Judi Chamberlain’s working definition of the concept. In 2006 the group invited Judi to Iceland and from her the group got guidance and inspiration. On this occasion a conference was held that highlighted Empowerment, with Judi as the keynote speaker.  Around 300 people did show up, user/consumers, professionals and other interested people, and participated in workshops.

Hugarafl has also from its inception opted to be a visible group and worked to gain ground for its ideas through various projects. Among these are the educational project – where users visit primary schools, high schools and colleges and related their experiences as well as informing about mental health in general, the peer support project – where users in recovery or recovered meet others who are still in crisis. Hugarafl has also held many conferences, bed runs, to name a few. Members of Hugarafl have written numerous newspaper articles.

Our group has acted as a trailblazer on many occasions and now we are often consulted when decisions are made, like policy work at the IcelandicNationalHospital. Recently a committee of the Department of Health, where Hugarafl had two representatives, finished outlining a mental health policy for the Icelandic Government until 2010.