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4/17/2006
Contact: K.E. Schwab -- 724-738-2199;
e-mail: karl.schwab@sru.edu
INFORMATION SESSION ON
SCHIZOPHRENIA,
DOCUMENTARY, PANEL DISCUSSION SET AT
SRU
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa.
– A chance to get information on schizophrenia is being
offered those at Slippery Rock University and in surrounding
communities at a 7 p.m. April 25 event designed to raise awareness
about the mental illness and including a documentary film and a
follow-up panel discussion.
The “Out of
the Shadow’ Documentary and Panel Discussion About
Schizophrenia” is being hosted in the McKay Education
Building Auditorium by SRU and Janssen LP. The program is organized
by SRU’s Dr. Jennifer Sanftner, assistant professor of
psychology.
The documentary was
directed, produced, and photographed by Susan Smiley featuring her
mother’s life-long struggle with the mental disorder. The
film depicts how her mother developed the disease and the toll it
took on the family, including struggles her mother endured with her
mental illness and those of the family in dealing with the mental
health system. It ends with the mother’s stabilization and
placement in a supportive living facility.
A panel
discussion will follow moderated by Sanftner and involving panel
members responding to discussion topics and questions from the
audience. The panel will include:
* Dr. Gayle Brosnan-Watters, assistant professor
of psychology at SRU and schizophrenia researcher;
* Marcia Wagner, LPC, CPRP and Amanda Szurek,
certified psychiatric rehabilitation practitioners from the Irene
Stacy Community Mental Health Center;
* Scott Lowe, Butler County commissioner;
and
* Betty Paffrath, mental health advocate from the
Butler County Mental Health Association.
The panel
will discuss schizophrenia, including the nature and causes,
treatment approaches and the unique community needs of those with
the illness. The discussion will be informed by researchers,
clinicians, policymakers, and mental health advocates, and will
involve audience participation.
Those wishing
to register may call 724-738-4879 for reservations.
PN, PGN, WPN, PR, PTV
MentalHealth,kes.doc
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