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Re-play on Janssen's Champions of Science: The Art of Ending Stigma- Panel Discussion

Shade. Labels. Darkness. Negativity. Secrets. Shame. Guilt. Hiding. Discrimination... I am referring to the stigma of mental health conditions that plagues conversations, worsens our reality of living with a life-long health concern, and prolongs suffering, and silence. 

Janssen Pharmaceuticals' panel discussion about stigma, and art opens the conversation to so much! Dr. Adam Savitz (panelist, psychiatrist, Janssen), Jeff Sparr (panelist, Peace Love), and myself (panelist), and Vickie Mabrey (moderator) held a lively hour-long discussion, Tuesday, November 13, 2018, on a range of concerns impacting people living in recovery, and coping strategies. We spoke first-hand experience on how we cope through artistic means, therapy, and self-expression, and the role of creativity, specifically painting and writing. The arts play a significant role in the healing process of recovery living with mental health conditions including obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and schizophrenia. 

However, we also talked about real-life situations with discrimination and stigma, and how to manage in the workplace with the support of human resources, and the importance of our support system, among other topics. Moreover, a psychiatric advance directive is a crisis plan in place when us, peers, living with a diagnosis are at our worse, and planned in advance our preferences in the event that we cannot articulate our wishes in treatment, and life. 

Similar to a general advance directive, however, more specific a psychiatric advance directive is a document that controls how people intervene. The psychiatric advance directive gives voice to us peers in that our concerns such as our families, home, pets, and bills are properly managed by those individuals that we list in the document. Mary Ellen Copeland's WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) articulates this plan. Creating or updating one's psychiatric advance directive is my message in my upcoming book, What's On My Mind? Coping Takes Work! my publish date is to be announced next year (2019). 

Over the last 11 years of my recovery, having a psychiatric advance directive is one of the most vital lessons I've learned! In addition to learning more about my diagnosis, and rights to maneuver daily discriminatory situations, and social problems, in order, to combat stigma as discussed in this empowering hour-packed conversation a psychiatric advance directive is just as important as auto insurance, renter's insurance, and a life policy, and college fund. I've overcome two major setbacks and take it from me it's best to plan in advance how you want your house managed when you are at your worse!  

In short, Janssen's panel discussion with Dr. Adam Savitz, Jeff Sparr, myself, and Vickie was an amazing talk, and experience. Watching this panel discussion will enrich your familiarity on the latest demands in recovery today! Thus, get involved in your recovery through self-expression, and overcome the stigma by using practical coping skills, and creativity! Review Janssen Pharmaceuticals' Champions of Science: The Art of Ending Stigma, and our panel discussion that will empower you!

Click here to watch our live virtual panel discussion- November 13, 2018, 7-8 PM Eastern Time 

Moderator: Vickie Mabrey, & Panelists: Ashley Smith, Jeff Sparr, and Dr. Adam Savitz


As mentioned in our panel discussion, here are some resources:

  1. Champions of Science: The Art of Ending Stigma (Gallery, Resources, Janssen)
  2. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI, support groups for families, peers, caregivers, etc.)
  3. The Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network- Peer Support Wellness & Respite Center (for Georgia residents)
  4. Mary Ellen Copeland's WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan)
  5. PeaceLove (Jeff Sparr, panelist and co-founder)
  6. What's On My Mind? A Collection of Blog Entries from Overcoming Schizophrenia by Ashley Smith (panelist, lived experience expert and certified peer specialist) - Amazon
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