Professor Stephen Hinshaw will discuss how families can overcome the stigma of mental illness at the First Friday Forum on Feb. 1.
Join First Friday Forum (FFF) on Feb. 1 at 1:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary of Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette, when Professor Stephen Hinshaw will present a lecture, “Stigma, Mental Illness and Families: The Next Frontier.”
Dr. Hinshaw’s latest book, Another Kind of Madness: A Journey Through the Stigma and Hope of Mental Illness, chronicles his father’s recurring mental illness and the doctor-enforced silence surrounding it, plus the huge need to combat the stigma that encompasses it. Because he has lived with this problem, Hinshaw is eminently qualified to discuss the subject.
Hinshaw says, “Despite far greater knowledge of the ‘facts’ about mental disorders in present time, attitudes have hardly budged since the middle of the 20th century.” In his presentation he defines the concept of stigma, emphasizes how it thwarts the seeking of assessment and treatment, and provides vivid examples related to his own personal and family story.
He also portrays the consequences to families when shame and silence are ordered by doctors, in the name of protecting children. Much of the material in this presentation is based on his book, which was recently awarded Best Book of 2018 in the category of Autobiography/Memoir, by American Book Fest.
Stephen Hinshaw is Professor of Psychology at UC Berkeley, where he was department chair from 2004 to 2011. He is also professor of psychiatry and vice-chair for child and adolescent psychology at UC San Francisco. He received his BA from Harvard (summa cum laude) and after directing school programs and residential summer camps, his doctorate in clinical psychology from UCLA. His work focuses on developmental psychopathology, clinical interventions with children and adolescents, and mental illness stigma.
Hinshaw’s research efforts have been recognized by his receiving the Distinguished Scientist Award from the Association for Psychological Science, its highest award, and the Distinguished Teaching Award from UC Berkeley. He has been featured regularly in the media, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Huffington Post, Wall Street Journal, Today Show, CBS Evening News, ABC World News, and many more. He lives in Berkeley with his wife, Kelly Campbell. They have three sons.
“Family secrets still abound, whether they pertain to parents, children, siblings or multiple generations. Some of the most telling relate to the still-hidden and still-shameful topics of mental illness,” Hinshaw states.
“This will be a rare opportunity to have the topic brought out into the open and discussed by such an eminent scholar,” says Caroline Giers, a member of the FFF team. He extends the invitation: “Come and invite your friends to this free lecture. Refreshments will be served in Fellowship Hall at 1 p.m.”
