In This Issue
May 2015 Message from the President
Alums Elected to Board Solutions for Homeless Veterans Conference Wrap-up Bouchet Graduate Honor Society Inductees Impact Story: Trauma Resource Center, LA Alum Profile: Dr. Henrik Larson, Ph.D. Winners of the TCSPP Awards Center for Latino Mental Health Wins Award Student Named Albert Schweitzer Fellow Visiting J1 Exchange Scholar from Berlin Humanistic Psychology Conference a Success Faculty in the Media
Commencement Dates Chicago and Online
As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month in May, I cannot help but feel that there is no time like the present to ramp up the conversation about the mental health crisis in our nation, including the recent airline incident that ignited a national debate about mental health in the workplace, and the complex issues of selfreporting and confidentiality that further illuminated the issue of stigma. At The Chicago School, we believe that every day, not just this month, provides the opportunity for communities across the nation to explore the effects of mental health stigma and trauma on our overall health and well-being. On May 12, we engaged students, faculty, staff, alumni and others by participating in the 100 Conversations about Mental Health hosted by the Kennedy Forum Illinois in honor of the Chicago Community Trust, where we brought together our own experts in human resources, clinical and business psychology to provide insight. But, for the past six months, beginning with our "Let's Talk Solutions" symposium in Washington, D.C., we've been talking out loud about the relational aspects of stigma and health. On Sunday, June 7, the Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute for Mental Health Education at The Chicago School will continue the conversation as they do each year by holding its annual conference, "Understanding and Overcoming the Stigma of Mental Illness." U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL- 9) will open the conference, which will be moderated by TCS ES President, Dr. Michael Horowitz. Dr. Patrick Corrigan, a wellpublished and research expert on stigma and mental illness, will join the group, among many others. Dr. Corrigan writes, "Stigma is not just erasing the prejudice of discrimination of mental illness; it is promoting attitudes and behavior that reflect recovery and selfdetermination." We are appreciative of the Cohen family for their perseverance in carrying forward the mantle of awareness, and bringing together experts to share their knowledge with the Chicago community each year.