Robert Whitaker: The Impact of Psychiatric Medications
In mid-September, 2025 I attended the 10th Anniversary of Inner Fire in rural Vermont. Inner Fire is an extraordinary residential center for individuals who are seeking mental health. Many “seekers” (rather than “patients”) who live there for a time want to reduce or eliminate psychiatric medications they have been prescribed. However, some are supported in staying on their medication, if that is their choice. A physician is on staff to assist seekers with the decision and the process. He is well tutored in the fine art of responsible withdrawal from psychiatric medication. Many of the methods to assist seekers in finding health are centered in the land itself. Seekers participate fully in permaculture gardens, feeding chickens, learning about the surrounding woods, wild birds and animals, and flower gardens. Even the presentations in the anniversary party took place in one of the gardens by a stream surrounded by woodland.
Robert Whitaker and His Contributions
Robert Whitaker (shown above) is an award-winning journalist most well-known for his book, Anatomy of an Epidemic. For this book he collected statistics and stories about the longterm impact of psychiatric medications. Research has shown most can have a beneficial impact when taken for a short time. Robert found that the longterm impact shows a detrimental effect–especially with anti-psychotics. His mission was to find out why mental illnesses has become more prevalent since psychiatric medications became the primary therapy to overcome mental illness. His talk above brings us up to date with this conversation, citing current research as well as anecdotal stories.
Uncovering True Health
Given the possible negative impact of long term use of psychiatric meds we have to realize they typically cover the symptoms of mental disturbance; they are not mechanisms of healing, that is, effectively overcoming the roots of disturbance. The success of Inner Fire is based on the healing impact of being close to nature, eating a wholesome diet, handling interpersonal upsets in a supportive environment, and reaching into authentic expression through art, expressive movement, maintaining positive relationships, taking a vacation from the internet, and becoming dedicated to living from the deepest Self, aka the Soul,
Deep thanks to Inner Fire, its Board of Directors and donors, and the vision of it’s Director, Beatrice Birch. Deep thanks also to Robert Whitaker, author, journalist and lead for MadinAmerica.com.
All donations to Inner Fire are fully tax-deductible as Inner Fire is a 501c3. Contact HERE.
More Resources
You can see more of the presenations that occurred on the anniversary celebration by clicking HERE.
IMHU is always on the lookout for residential facilities that are deeply supportive of individuals experiencing extreme states. Like InnerFire we look for facilities that support a person uncovering their deepest truth, so they can live from that truth with a sense of meaning and purpose. We offer a free course to share what we have learned: https://courses.imhu.org/courses/integrative-residential-care-for-mental-disturbances
We also provide an international directory of Spiritual Emergence Coaches who are trained to be supportive of those experiencing extreme states that may be both psychological and spiritual.