Screening, panel discussion aim to boost understanding about psychosis

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• What: For All of Us | Humanizing Mental Illness: Understanding Psychosis
• When: Sunday, June 8, 1-3 p.m.
• Where: The Screening Room, 127 E. Congress St., Tucson
• Details:  Psychiatry.arizona.edu/ForAllofUs 

The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson Department of Psychiatry, Banner Health’s Early Psychosis Intervention Center and the nonprofit Coyote Task Force are hosting “For All of Us | Humanizing Mental Illness: Understanding Psychosis,” a free film screening and panel discussion, to bring awareness and understanding to this highly misunderstood and stigmatized mental health disorder by debunking myths and sharing stories and insights.

The June 8 event aims to foster knowledge of and increase empathy for individuals with psychosis spectrum disorders, along with providing tangible ways to support individuals who are experiencing a psychotic episode.

“Popular culture has stigmatized people living with psychosis spectrum disorders as being unintelligent, unmotivated and even violent,” said Gustavo Perez, PhD, an associate professor of psychiatry at the College of Medicine – Tucson and the EPICenter’s director. “These false and harmful views stem from a lack of understanding of what a person is going through when they are having symptoms such as disordered thoughts, hallucinations and delusions.”

The free event will feature live music, special segments of Public Broadcasting Service documentaries on psychosis by renowned filmmaker Ken Burns and a post-screening panel discussion moderated by Perez. The panel will include two community members living with psychosis, a family member and an EPICenter psychologist who will share their experiences during an audience Q&A.

“We are honored that local community members living with psychotic spectrum disorders will share their stories of struggle, healing and hope,” said Jordan F. Karp, MD, a professor and chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the U of A College of Medicine – Tucson. “It is vital for our community to see and hear from individuals living with these disorders to humanize people living with serious mental illnesses and reverse the damage of stigma.”

This event is not affiliated with the All of Us research program.