Highlights
VIDEO: Recovery Perspectives: A Conversation Between People in Recovery and Service Providers
In this compelling presentation, people with lived experience of recovery from co-occurring disorders discuss among themselves, and then with service providers, the issues of most concern to them when they ask for help. They discuss their views on their conditions, their recovery, and experience with treatment. The centerpiece is the dialogue between people in recovery and providers. Those in recovery will learn more about co-occurring conditions and what they can expect from their care providers. Service providers will gain a better understanding of the importance of relationship, equality, empowerment, and authenticity in their work.
Ann Jennings, PhD, VIDEO: Keynote Address • The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study: Trauma as a Public Health Crisis and Implications for Human Services at the 3rd Annual Co-Occurring Disorders Institute: Complexities of Trauma. Filmed on Thursday, June 9, 2011, at the University of Maine at Augusta.
Biography
Ann Jennings, PhD, has been involved for over 27 years in raising public awareness and influencing fundamental change in how service systems view and treat people with histories of unaddressed childhood trauma. Personal experience underscores her conviction that prevention of and early intervention in childhood trauma is core to reducing human tragedy and creating compassionate and effective human services. As Director of the State of Maine’s Office of Trauma Services for eight years, she initiated projects bringing trauma-informed trainings and services to numerous agencies throughout the state. She consults nationally, is keynote speaker and presenter at national and state conferences and has authored numerous published articles and documents. Dr. Jennings is founder and Executive Director of The Anna Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to speaking truth about childhood trauma, and providing resources for professional, community, and survivor use. For more information visit The Anna Institute.
VIDEO: Advancing the Dialogue:Medication and Mental Illness, A Conversation with Robert Whitaker, Author of Anatomy of an Epidemic. Filmed at the University of New England, Portland campus, on May 4, 2011.
In his book, Anatomy of an Epidemic, Robert Whitaker investigates the astonishing rise in the number of people enrolled in government disability due to mental illness over the past 20 years (from 1.25 million in 1987 to more than 4 million today). In this presentation, the focus is on the research and the development of how psychiatric medications affect the long-term course of schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorders—based on a review of the scientific literature. Mr. Whitaker looks at the reasons there has been such a tremendous increase in the number of people diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, and he briefly reviews the longer-term outcomes for children and youth. Additionally, he speaks about innovative programs in Europe producing good outcomes that might be models for reforming care in the United States.