Pat Deegan’s contributions to mental health advocacy are undeniable, pioneering a recovery model that has empowered countless people. But, in the spirit of satire, let’s turn a critical (and humorous) lens on what often feels like her unshakeable bravado—a confidence that some might say borders on “recovery savior” energy. And let’s face it, the Pat Deegan brand hasn’t exactly screamed diversity. So, let’s explore the Pat Deegan Experience as it would look with a little more awareness and a lot more humility.

The (Unspoken) World of Homogenous Advocacy

Recovery Bravado: “Trust Me, I Know What’s Best for You”

Pat’s confidence in her model has inspired so many, but sometimes that bravado can feel a little…intense. The notion that her method is the recovery path can come across as a one-size-fits-all solution, often leaving out nuances that don’t fit neatly into her framework. Imagine if this self-assurance became a motivational program called:

The Deegan Doctrine: Bravado-Based Healing

In this imaginary program, participants learn to embody Pat’s unapologetic confidence. Because who needs a therapist or a community when you’ve got Pat’s unwavering conviction on your side? Here’s a sample exercise:

Step 1: Practice telling everyone, “Your journey matters, but I’m pretty sure I know what’s best for you.”

Step 2: Deliver your personal medicine plan with such zeal that it drowns out the unique voice of each participant.

Step 3: Conclude each session by saying, “I understand because I’ve been there,” as if recovery is a one-size-fits-all destination.

Course Takeaways:

Gain an unbreakable level of certainty in your opinions.

Learn to empower people by subtly reminding them of the “right” path (spoiler: it’s usually yours).

Master the art of speaking about diversity without actually engaging in it.

Pat Deegan Academy: Now Featuring Diversity Simulation

For an advocate with significant influence, the Pat Deegan Academy has an unexpectedly homogenous approach. The materials often reflect the experiences of a particular demographic (hello, white women in recovery), leaving many without voices in the “personal medicine” lexicon.

Imagine the Pat Deegan Academy rolling out a “Diversity Simulation Lab” that gamifies inclusivity without actually having to diversify the perspective. In the Diversity Lab, participants put on VR headsets that simulate “alternative viewpoints,” complete with dialogue prompts like, “Let’s consider what other people might think!” and “Recovery might look different for people who aren’t…well, exactly like us.”

Highlight Features:

Tokenism Trophies: Earn a badge for every marginalized perspective you “explore” for 10 minutes.

“Other Voices” Soundtrack: When prompted to explore cultural perspectives, a disembodied voice says, “Wow, I never thought of it that way!” encouraging empathy from a safe, conceptual distance.

Personal Medicine is given a makeover here, where you learn that “personal” should technically apply to all people—but only if they fit within the pre-approved narrative.

Personal Medicine: For Those Who Can Afford It

The Personal Medicine mantra sounds empowering—until you consider that it’s not exactly accessible for everyone. Mental health recovery often requires resources, support, and flexibility, and many don’t have the luxury of choosing the right “personal medicine.” When you’re in survival mode, self-actualization through the “right activities” isn’t always realistic.

Imagine a line of Personal Medicine products for “those who don’t have time for a personal retreat”:

Portable Self-Care Kit: Contains a stress ball, a “calm down” mantra card, and a mini notepad to write down all the ways life could be better if you just “chose wellness” harder.

The “Empathy Kit” for Deegan Diehards: A pocket-sized guide on how to see beyond your own lived experience, in small, manageable doses.

Bravado Highlights:

In the personal medicine paradigm, you’re empowered to “heal yourself”—with a certain amount of privilege assumed.

The notion of self-reliance takes precedence over community or collective healing because individual empowerment is marketable and keeps things easy to digest.

Nothing says 2024 like a podcast. The satirical “Killing Pat Deegan” podcast could “murder” old ideas in favor of controversial, bold perspectives on mental health. Imagine a series where guests discuss rethinking, rebooting, and sometimes downright annihilating the conventional wisdom of recovery models.

Catchphrases as a Substitute for Actual Diversity

A few well-worn slogans—“author of your own life,” “personal medicine”—are Pat Deegan’s bread and butter. But how can these catchphrases be broadened to include the many diverse backgrounds that aren’t explicitly represented in the Pat Deegan Academy?

Introducing: The Pat Deegan Inclusive Phrase Generator! This handy tool generates new phrases that “sound” diverse but keep things comfortably generic. Here’s how it works:

Original: “Be the author of your own life.”

Inclusive Version: “Be the writer, illustrator, editor, and publisher of a life that almost accommodates your unique circumstances.”

Or take Personal Medicine—now rebranded in this satire as:

“Global Wellness”: Just vague enough to seem inclusive, yet still packaged as an individual journey that “everyone” can take if they just try hard enough.

Pat’s Allyship Academy: Diversity with a Dash of Deegan

What if the Pat Deegan Academy took “inclusivity” workshops to the next level, with lessons on how to address diversity without needing to make any actual changes?

In the Allyship Academy, participants learn the art of appearing inclusive while staying comfortably within their own worldview. Key modules include:

Saying “We See You” Without Asking for Feedback: Perfect the skill of acknowledging diversity without actually opening the floor to other voices.

Empathy Lite: Learn how to nod in agreement when people share their struggles, while thinking about how it confirms your worldview.

Core Curriculum:

The Token Talk: How to recognize diversity by using abstract terms that don’t require you to learn anyone’s actual story.

Recovery Remixed: Ways to incorporate buzzwords like “equity” without altering any of your actual programs.

Conclusion: “Pat Deegan’s Bravado Adventure”

This satirical reimagining doesn’t diminish the valuable contributions Pat Deegan has made, but it highlights how mental health advocacy benefits from continually broadening perspectives. In a field as diverse as mental health, there’s always room to explore voices and approaches that go beyond the confidence of the individual advocate.

Here’s to the hope that someday, mental health recovery can be genuinely inclusive, with or without slogans.