Influencers ’ talks (2)

• The Stigma of Mental Illness:
  In this daring talk, Sam Cohen, a high school sophomore, pleads us to treat mental disorders as the disorders that they really are and step higher as a culture in a tolerant and nurturing way in treating these disorders.
  In her talk, she expresses from what she has explored; what it means to be psychologically ill in our culture.

• Breaking the Stigma and Shame of Mental Illness:
   Kitty Westin, a licensed psychologist, created the Anna Westin Foundation following the death of her daughter from anorexia. Soon after Anna’s death, the foundation opened Minnesota’s first residential treatment program for eating disorders. Kitty is an activist for individuals suffering from eating disorders.
  Kitty expresses through tragic true stories and logical facts to aid the audience into realizing different methods to mold their thought process and join the battle to lessen stigma and shame.

• I Am Not A Monster: Schizophrenia:
  Cecilia McGough; an astronomer and a writer, is a mental health activist in fighting against the negative stigma towards mental illness. She is the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of the soon to launch non-profit Students With Schizophrenia which is the only non-profit in the United States focused on empowering college students with schizophrenia.