The fact that the Royal College of Psychiatrists @rcpsych has finally provided information on stopping antidepressants that is actually helpful is HUGE. https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/treatments-and-wellbeing/stopping-antidepressants

This isn't made clear in the guidance but it's a huge win for mental health service users/survivors that have been campaigning, sharing their painful stories and supporting those who want to come off these medications outside of the medical system for decades.

This month, I'm 6 years free of antidepressants. I had no help from the medical system as they had no idea how to help me withdraw. I got through it with the support and advice from strangers on the internet.

I would not recommend it but it was my only option after years of being ignored, parked on medication and not receiving the correct treatment. This is a common experience for Black people when we come into contact with the mental health system.

So it's great to see this guidance, but it's important to note the common practice of institutions erasing and invisibilising the hard work, sacrifice and dedication of campaigners, activists and mutual aid groups that opened their eyes that the system needs to be changed.

So excuse me while I refrain from congregating @rcpsych for doing what service users have been asking them to do for decades.

Massive congratulations to the people supporting each other to withdraw from antidepressants on Twitter, in FB groups, forums, Google Hangouts, peer support groups, and creating podcasts, campaigns, articles, and so much more.

Massive well done for refusing to step off the neck of psychiatry despite being smeared with labels like "anti-psychiatry", "pill shamers" and "Scientologists". I salute you and continue to be inspired by you.

While you're here, please sign this petition by @jf_moore demanding the provision of tapering strips on the NHS. The guidelines recommended today cannot be implemented if the drugs being withdrawn from are not available in low doses or liquid form. https://www.change.org/p/provide-tapering-strips-to-help-people-withdraw-from-antidepressant-and-antipsychotic-drugs?recruiter=57806420&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=share_petition&recruited_by_id=8a3f7220-d911-0130-f5e8-3c764e0491eb