USC Gould School of Law Saks Institute for Mental Health Law, Policy and Ethics hosts spring symposium, “In The Spotlight: Working and Living with Mental Illness”

March 25, 2019

Contact: [email protected]

MEDIA ADVISORY

USC Gould School of Law Saks Institute for Mental Health Law, Policy and Ethics is hosting its spring symposium, “In The Spotlight: Working and Living with Mental Illness.” The symposium will feature former Lakers basketball player and entrepreneur Metta World Peace, comedian Maria Bamford, founder and president of Mindstrong Health Tom Insel, and Prof. Elyn Saks, founder of the Saks Institute.  

WHEN: Monday, March 25, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. PT.

WHERE: USC Town and Gown Ballroom (map and directions).

WHAT: The conference consists of three panel discussions, followed by a lunchtime keynote address by comedian Maria Bamford, wrapping up with a discussion between Metta World Peace and Dr. Saks, moderated by Ben Carey, New York Times science reporter.

The Consumer Discussion panel focuses on how mental health impacts consumers’ professional and private lives. The Digital Mental Health panel covers the intersection of digital technology and mental health care, including ethical implications and challenges in navigation. The Clubhouse Conversation will cover how clubhouses can be part of a comprehensive mental health treatment approach.

Elyn Saks and Metta World Peace will discuss how being “public” changes the experience of mental distress, and the value of celebrities or other well-known people speaking up about their mental health challenges.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Maria Bamford will not be available for on-site interviews before or after her keynote remarks.

PARKING: Figueroa St. parking structure recommended – beside the USC Hotel on the northeast corner of Figueroa St. and Exposition Blvd. For information on additional USC parking lots and directions, go to https://visit.usc.edu/maps-directions/university-park-campus/public-parking/

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Breakfast – 8-8:30 a.m.

Opening Remarks 8:30 – 8:40 a.m.

Andrew T. Guzman, Dean – USC Gould School of Law 

Elyn Saks, Founder – Saks Institute for Mental Health Law, Policy, and Ethics

SESSION ONE 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. – Consumer Discussion   

Bridget Frese Hutchens, Yale School of Nursing

Aurora Lopez, Programa de Bienestar – Kalma 

Beth Ribet, Repair – a Health and Disability Justice Organization 

Victoria Rodriguez-Roland, Senior Policy Counsel, Trans/Gender Nonconforming Justice Project, Disability Justice Project

 Moderator: Laurie Hallmark, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid

SESSION TWO 10-11:00 a.m. – Digital Mental Health

Tom Insel, Mindstrong Health 

Mona Sobhani, USC Center for Body Computing 

Diana Steakley-Freeman, PsyberGuide; Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies – Northwestern University Department of Preventive Medicine 

Moderator: Anna Swartz, Independent Researcher

SESSION THREE 11:15 a.m. -12:15 p.m. – Clubhouse Conversation 

Ralph Aquila, Fountain House 

Rayshell Chambers, Painted Brain 

David “Eli” Israelian, Painted Brain

Dave Leon, Painted Brain

Raul Zapata, Fountain House 

Moderator: Elyn Saks, USC Gould School of Law

Lunchtime Keynote 12:30-1:10 p.m.

Maria Bamford

SESSION FOUR 1:15-2:00 p.m. – Being Public 

Metta World Peace 

Elyn Saks

  Moderator: Ben Carey – New York Times

For more information about the conference, please click here.

REGISTRATION is free; click here to register.

Space is limited.