Daniel Fisher and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter at the 25th Annual Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy held at The Carter Center in Atlanta Nov. 5-6, 2009.

Psychiatrist Daniel Fisher, M.D., Ph.D. is a role model for us at Recovery In Action International. As he would say, it is not because he is so unusual that he is a role model, but because recovery is more common than people realize. Spreading the word about the reality of recovery and the paths to get there are helping more people to recover. Dr. Fisher has played a key role in articulating the recovery model on a local and national level over the past 30 years. He has been a powerful advocate in educating mental health clients and mental health professionals that recovery can and does happen.

Dr. Fisher received his Psychiatric Residency training at Harvard, and also obtained a Ph.D. in biochemistry. He is persuasive in his view that all individuals suffering from mental illness have the capacity to regain control over life and to participate fully in the community. Dr. Fisher speaks from personal experience. He was diagnosed in his mid-20's with Schizophrenia and was hospitalized for treatment several times over a 10 year period. But he stresses that no matter how severe an individual's illness, the "person inside" still exists, and with the proper support and resources, that person can recover from mental distress. Hope, self-determination, self-help, and spirituality are all emphasized in the National Empowerment Center's "Empowerment Model of Recovery and Development." Another key component is peer support.

Dr. Fisher has been recognized for his work by selection as a member of the White House Commission on Mental Health. He was influential in persuading the commission to recommend "recovery" as the goal of mental health services, rather than settling for "remission", which is what some of the other commissioners wanted. Recovery is so much richer as a goal than remission. It points to a higher quality of life and full participation in the community. He has worked as a tireless advocate with mental health clients, helping them to find their own voice and become better advocates. Additionally, Dr. Fisher has played an important role in helping to build state networks and a national network of mental health clients with advocates in the state capitals and Washington, D.C. He is presently the Executive Director of the National Empowerment Center and a practicing psychiatrist in a mental health center. www.power2u.org

Please join us when Dr. Fisher is our Keynote Speaker on May 1, 2010. Visit Special Events on our website for more information.