Mad Freeedom Advocates is Defunded- A message from their Board

A Message from the MadFreedom Advocates Board of Directors:

DMH Termination of MFA Grant

On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, the Department of Mental Health terminated our grant, with no notice, with almost two months left in the contract. This grant funded the entirety of MFA’s important, meaningful work. We are heartbroken by this loss, though we remain steadfast in our commitment to center and uplift the voices of psychiatric survivors, mad folks, and others marginalized by the mental health system. Challenging and shifting systems of power is lifelong work.

While the ability for MFA to employ staff, offer patient representatives within inpatient facilities, and administer programs like the POP grants has been terminated along with the DMH grant, the recent work that MFA staff and the Board of Directors have done to refocus and build up supports and public offerings has made a lasting impact. These connections between and among people do not go away because funding for MFA has ended. Building on the foundational year of MFA that preceded it, here are some of the accomplishments and connections made through MFA in just the past six months:

“Decarcerate your Care” workshop promoting advance directives as tools to resist coercion and support autonomy

Psychiatric survivor grief circle and cold plunge: learning about the history of the practice of hydrotherapy in psychiatric institutions, grieving the institutional harm done, and engaging in a liberatory cold dip practice

Speaking out in a press conference opposing a new forensic facility in Vermont, in which people with psychiatric labels are to be incarcerated who have not been convicted of any crime

Meeting with legislators, strategizing in coalition, and giving written and oral testimony around issues and legislation impacting those at risk of institutionalization and police violence due to distress or disability

Thousands of dollars in peer-operated project grants awarded, supporting our community to find each other, share skills, create and distribute media, serve food, and build networks of care

Screenings around the state, in collaboration with Disability Rights Vermont and other partner organizations, of Forgotten Promises, a documentary by DRVT that highlights the urgent need for home- and community-based services in Vermont

Weekly virtual community drop-in forums bringing together community voices to discuss emergent issues and actions

Mad Takeover: an evening of music, dance, drag, and poetry platforming the experiences of folks marginalized or harmed by the mental health system (and raising funds to provide free lunch at Mad Pride 2026)

A vigil on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, marking the one-year anniversary of Scott Garvey’s violent and unnecessary death at the hands of Vermont State police

Vermont Mad Pride 10th Anniversary celebration, made possible by a group of dedicated volunteers and fiscally sponsored by MFA

While this chapter is ending, the movement, the relationships, and the work toward justice continue. There is much to consider and strategize about regarding the future of this organization and this work. The Board is ultimately responsible for steering these decisions and hopes to welcome input in the coming weeks, though for now we are supporting the Executive Director to focus on winding down current operations.

We will endeavor to be available for questions as much as possible during this tumultuous time.

With mad love and rage,

J Helms

Sean Donovan

Rocky Gagne