Not a parade of fools
Hateful ones did and want to silence us all, though! Invitation to speak up, listen to experts by experience and training on epistemic violence and racism in mental and social services.
Invitation to Speak Up and Attend: Join Us for a Critical Discussion on Epistemic Violence and Racism in Mental and Social Services: we are excited to invite both potential speakers and audience members to participate in an upcoming event focused on addressing racism and epistemic violence in mental health and social services. This event aims to amplify voices that have been silenced and challenge the exclusion and marginalization of service users within various care and health-related fields, including mental and social hygiene, and treatments.
How to Participate, for speakers: if you are interested in participating as a speaker, please let me know privately. We encourage you to feel completely free to choose your presentation topic and style. Our goal is to give you the platform to speak authentically and impactfully. For the audience: in case you are unable to attend live, you can send your questions in advance, and we will ensure they are addressed during the event. All recordings will be published online, free of charge, so you can watch at your convenience. Please hit the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email for no further invitations to this or any other event.
Why You Should Join: the event will delve into how the dominant model of care perpetuates exclusion and normalizes xenophobia within mental health and social services. By bringing together experts by experience and training, we aim to foster a meaningful dialogue that highlights the often-ignored voices in our communities. As Speaker: your expertise and experience is relevant, and we would be honored to have you share your insights. This is an opportunity for you to speak on how the voices of marginalized groups are denied, exacerbating their exclusion and contributing to systemic issues in mental health and social services. As Audience: this event is not just for speakers; it is also for anyone who wants to learn and engage in critical discussions on these important issues. By attending, you will gain valuable insights from leading experts and have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session to ask your own questions and share your thoughts.
Event Details
Format: Online
Duration: 30-45 minutes presentation, followed by a Q&A session (total of 1 hour)
Dates: Dr. Safieh Shah, MD MPH's presentation scheduled for July 14th at 1500 CEST (UTC+05:00 hours)
Cost: Free of charge
Platform: Live sessions and recordings posted on our YouTube channel (link) for wider accessibility
Previous Success: last year, we successfully hosted events on political abuse of psychiatry, featuring world experts. This year, we aim to build on that success by addressing racism and epistemic violence in mental health and social services. The event will be advertised among members of two EU COST science and technology actions on mental health and among several hundred subscribers from our blog.
Confirmed featured experts, short bios:
Dr. Adishi Gupta: Scholar and researcher specializing in cultural and transcultural psychiatry.
Dr. Cathy Wield: Mental health advocate and author, known for her work in mental health awareness and reducing stigma.
Dr. David A. Ward: Scholar in mental health with a focus on psychosocial interventions and community-based care.
Dr. Helene Speyer: Professional in mental health services, known for her work in improving care practices and advocating for patient rights.
Dr. Helen A. Neville: Distinguished professor of educational psychology and African American studies, known for her research on racial identity and racism.
Dr. Jim Gottstein: Lawyer and mental health advocate, founder of the Law Project for Psychiatric Rights (PsychRights).
Dr. Justyna Wroblewska: Researcher specializing in social psychology and mental health, focusing on the social determinants of mental health.
Kim Wichera (M.D. to be, resident): Expert in social services and mental health care, founder of the Runaway House Berlin, advocate focusing on systemic issues and policy development.
Professor Lisette Torres-Gerald: Scholar-activist specializing in the intersection of race, disability, and social justice.
Dr. Luca Tateo: Scholar in cultural psychology and the philosophy of science, exploring the influence of cultural factors on human development and cognition.
Dr. Massimo Introvigne: prominent Italian sociologist and religious freedom scholar, renowned for his expertise in new religious movements.
Dr. Nic Bidwell: Researcher in human-computer interaction (HCI) and social computing, with a focus on marginalized communities.
Dr. Safieh Shah, MD MPH: Expert in public health and mental health, focusing on addressing disparities and promoting equitable access to care.
Dr. Thomas Teo: Professor known for his critical and historical approach to psychology, specializing in the philosophy and history of psychology.
Confirmed featured experts, long bios:
Dr. Adishi Gupta: Dr. Adishi Gupta is a scholar and researcher specializing in mental health, with a focus on cultural and transcultural psychiatry. Her work often explores how cultural contexts influence mental health practices and the understanding of psychiatric conditions. Dr. Gupta has contributed to the field through both academic research and clinical practice, aiming to improve mental health services by integrating culturally sensitive approaches.
Dr. Cathy Wield, PhD: Dr. Cathy Wield is an advocate and author known for her work in mental health awareness. She has personal experience with severe mental health conditions and has written extensively about her journey and recovery. Dr. Wield uses her platform to educate others about mental health issues, reduce stigma, and promote better understanding and support for individuals with mental health conditions.
Dr. David A. Ward: Dr. David A. Ward is a scholar in the field of mental health with a focus on psychosocial interventions and community-based care. His research includes examining the effectiveness of different therapeutic approaches and the role of social support systems in mental health recovery. Dr. Ward has worked extensively with community organizations to develop and implement mental health programs that are accessible and effective.
Dr. Helene Speyer: Dr. Helene Speyer is a professional in the field of mental health services, known for her work in improving care practices and advocating for patient rights. She has a background in clinical psychology and has been involved in various initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of mental health care. Dr. Speyer’s work emphasizes the importance of patient-centered approaches and the need for systemic changes in mental health services.
Dr. Helen A. Neville: Dr. Helen A. Neville is a distinguished professor of educational psychology and African American studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her research focuses on racial identity, racial socialization, and the psychological impact of racism on individuals and communities. Dr. Neville has authored numerous articles and books on these topics and is recognized for her contributions to the understanding of race and mental health. She is actively involved in community work and advocacy, aiming to bridge the gap between research and practice in addressing racial inequalities.
Dr. Jim Gottstein, Esq.: Dr. Jim Gottstein, Esq. is a lawyer and mental health advocate known for his work in challenging psychiatric practices and promoting the rights of individuals diagnosed with mental health conditions. He is the founder of the Law Project for Psychiatric Rights (PsychRights), a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the rights of people facing involuntary psychiatric interventions. Dr. Gottstein has been involved in several high-profile cases and is a vocal critic of the overuse of psychotropic medications and the lack of informed consent in psychiatric treatment.
Dr. Justyna Wroblewska: Dr. Justyna Wroblewska is a researcher specializing in social psychology and mental health. Her work often focuses on the social determinants of mental health and the impact of social policies on mental well-being. Dr. Wroblewska has contributed to various projects aimed at improving mental health services and policies, with a particular interest in how social inequalities affect mental health outcomes.
Dr. Kim Wichera: Dr. Kim Wichera is an expert in social services and mental health care, with a focus on systemic issues and policy development. Her research and advocacy work aim to address inequalities within the social services sector, emphasizing the need for inclusive and equitable care practices. Dr. Wichera has worked with various organizations to implement changes that better serve marginalized communities.
Professor Lisette Torres-Gerald: Professor Lisette Torres-Gerald is a scholar-activist with a background in sociology and disability studies. Her work focuses on the intersection of race, disability, and social justice. Professor Torres-Gerald advocates for the rights of marginalized communities, particularly within the context of higher education and social services. She is known for her efforts to promote inclusivity and equity in academic and social institutions.
Professor Luca Tateo: Professor Luca Tateo is a professor and researcher known for his work in cultural psychology and the philosophy of science. He explores how cultural and societal factors influence human development and cognition. Professor Tateo's interdisciplinary approach bridges psychology, anthropology, and education, and he has published numerous articles and books on these topics. He is currently affiliated with Aalborg University in Denmark.
Dr. Massimo Introvigne: Dr. Massimo Introvigne is an Italian sociologist, religious freedom scholar, and managing director of the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR), a Turin-based organization dedicated to the study of new religious movements. He holds degrees in law and philosophy and has authored numerous books and articles on religious movements, persecution, and religious liberty. Introvigne has served as a representative of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on combating racism, xenophobia, and religious intolerance and has been involved in various international initiatives promoting religious freedom and human rights. He is widely recognized for his expertise in the field and is frequently invited to speak at conferences and events worldwide.
Dr. Nic Bidwell: Dr. Nic Bidwell is a respected researcher in the field of human-computer interaction (HCI) and social computing. Her work often focuses on the intersection of technology and society, with particular attention to marginalized communities and developing regions. Dr. Bidwell has contributed to understanding how technology can be designed and utilized to support social good and enhance communication in diverse cultural contexts.
Robert Whitaker <robert.b.whitaker@icloud.com>
Dr. Safieh Shah, MD MPH: Dr. Safieh Shah, MD MPH is a distinguished expert in public health and mental health, dedicated to addressing disparities and promoting equitable access to care. With a background in medicine and public health, Dr. Shah brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to her work, bridging clinical practice with population-level interventions. She obtained her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from a prestigious medical school and earned a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, specializing in health policy and management. Dr. Shah's professional experience spans both clinical and public health settings, and she has conducted research on the social determinants of mental health. She is passionate about advocacy and policy change, and her commitment to promoting mental health equity is reflected in her professional endeavors and personal ethos.
Dr. Thomas Teo: Dr. Thomas Teo is a prominent psychologist known for his critical and historical approach to psychology. He is a professor at York University in Toronto, Canada, where he specializes in the philosophy and history of psychology. Dr. Teo's research interests include critical psychology, epistemology, and the socio-cultural dimensions of psychological knowledge. He has published extensively on the critique of psychological concepts and methodologies, advocating for a more inclusive and socially aware approach to psychological science.