Palm Beach Community Turns Out In Record Numbers For Public Forum On Mental Health Research

Main Category: Mental Health
Also Included In: Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 16 Mar 2009 - 8:00 PDT

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Nearly 600 people attended NARSAD's sixth annual Palm Beach Symposium on Mental Health Research, which highlighted research breakthroughs and new treatment options for serious mental illnesses affecting millions of Americans. Held last Saturday at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, the event featured world-leading experts in schizophrenia, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (an anxiety disorder) and autism, who shared some of their latest research findings.

"The day's speakers had a wonderful ability to tie cutting-edge scientific research to the day-to-day experience of people with mental illness and those who care for them," said Joel Gurin, NARSAD's acting president. "Both the overall attendance and the Q&A sessions following each presentation demonstrated how many people are touched by these devastating disorders and how great a need they feel for information and advice."

Attendees of the March 7th event filled the meeting room at the Convention Center to capacity, underscoring a growing awareness of mental illness within Palm Beach and nearby Treasure Coast communities. Audience members included those suffering with mental illness, family members and healthcare professionals.

Each year, NARSAD hosts free public forums such as last weekend's in communities throughout the United States. These events serve to share the most recent knowledge gained through research about mental health disorders, including the causes, symptoms, biological mechanisms and available treatment options.

The symposium was moderated by Jeffrey Lieberman, M.D., Lawrence E. Kolb Chairman of Psychiatry at Columbia University and director of the New York State Psychiatric Institute, who also presented on the topic, "Treatment of Schizophrenia: Current Limitations and Future Promises."

Other speakers included:

- Fred Volkmar, M.D., director of the Yale University Child Study Center and Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Psychology at Yale University, who presented "The Changing Face of Autism: Insights From Research to Improve Diagnosis and Outcome."

- Helen Mayberg, M.D., professor of psychiatry and neurology at Emory University, who provided "An Update on Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment Resistant Depression."

- Helen Blair Simpson, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University and director of the Anxiety Disorders Clinic at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, who presented "New Treatment Strategies for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder."

In 2008, NARSAD hosted the first-ever "Healthy Minds Across America," an international day of events recognizing the toll of mental illness. On a single day, in locations around the United States and Canada, NARSAD organization 47 free public forums, at which researchers shared some of their latest findings on mental health disorders.

About NARSAD

NARSAD's primary mission is to alleviate suffering from mental illness. Toward this goal, the organization raises funds to advance research on the causes, treatment and prevention of psychiatric disorders. Since 1987, NARSAD has distributed more than $238 million in grants to over 2,700 scientists at 431 universities, medical centers and research institutes in the United States and 27 other countries. In 2008 alone, NARSAD awarded $19 million in new grants to nearly 300 scientists who are conducting clinical and basic research in depression, anxiety disorders, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, childhood mental disorders, such as autism and ADHD, and many other conditions.

NARSAD is a 501(c)(3) registered public charity, supported by individuals, foundations and corporations for the purpose of funding scientific research. All contributions are tax-deductible.

Source
NARSAD