Mental Health Care: Fighting Stigma with Social Support - Panel Discussion - CGI U 2016

Mental Health Care: Fighting Stigma with Social Support
Public Health
CGI is partnering with Refinery29 to address the topic of mental health.
The number of young Americans affected by mental illness has increased 35-fold since 1990. Despite progress in the diagnosis and drug-based treatment of mental health disorders, more needs to be done to reduce the stigma of mental illness and strengthen the social support systems that are critical for effective treatment. While individuals in some cultures believe that mental illness is caused by supernatural forces, for others the subject is simply taboo, and these beliefs increase prejudice against those suffering with mental health problems. However, young people are leading the way in combating this stigma through self-expression and by strengthening support systems, and they are harnessing both social media and offline networks as powerful tools to share their own struggles and destigmatize mental health issues. In this session moderated by Refinery29 Health and Wellness Director, Anna Maltby, panelists, students, and civil society stakeholders will explore how to:
• Understand and reduce stigma associated with mental illnesses around the world.
• Develop programs to increase access to mental health care on college campuses.
• Expand effective social media platforms and social support systems for mental health challenges.
MODERATOR:
Anna Maltby, Director of Health and Wellness, Refinery29
PARTICIPANTS:
Khaliya, Co-Founder, Falkora
Lauren Carson, Founder and Executive Director, Black Girls Smile Inc.
Kimberly Wayne, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Seneca Family of Agencies