Speakers & Presenters:   Opening Remarks & Welcome to Students: Harold I. Schwartz, M.D. Psychiatrist-In-Chief, VP for Behavioral Health "Confronting Stigma" Presented by Otto Wahl, Ph.D. Director, Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology University of Hartford Introduction to BrainDance 2008 Godfrey Pearlson Director, Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center Awards Presented by: Otto Wahl, Ph.D. -and- Kevin Sullivan President, The Children's Museum of Connecticut Former Lieutenant Governor of the State of Connecticut and Former Senate President Pro Tempore of the State of Connecticut

Presentations by:   Overall Winner/Best Academic - $1000: Bristol Eastern High School Individual and Family Development Class   Art Project - 1st Place (shared) - $500: John Galin Oil Painting “Depression Hurts” - Joseph Foran High School   Art Project - 1st Place (shared) - $500: Olivia Benjamin Mixed Media “Pallets of Life” - Weston High School

 

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The stigma faced by people with mental illness and their families is a heavy burden for those already struggling with overcoming psychiatric conditions. Our community of caregivers at the Institute of Living would like to increase the acceptance and compassion toward people with severe mental illness in our local and regional community.

 

In an effort to fight stigma, the Family Resource Center and the Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center sponsored the 5th Annual BrainDance Awards competition. Students were invited to submit art and/or academic projects on the topic of schizophrenia and other severe mental illnesses.

 

It is our hope that students’ participation in this competition will make them more sensitive to the concerns of people with psychiatric illnesses and their families. 

 

For more information, visit the BrainDance web page.