We are honored to have Elyn Saks as our luminary speaker for our inaugural ‘Brunch with a View Gala.’ She will share her story and emphasize the importance of quality mental healthcare within our San Diego community.
While living with chronic schizophrenia, Elyn has achieved extraordinary accomplishments and advocates for the decriminalization, destigmatization, and treatment of mental illness through voluntary methods. Elyn Saks is a professor of law, psychology, and psychiatry at USC. She is a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship, often referred to as the “Genius Grant,” and has delivered a TED Talk with over 5 million total views. Elyn discussed her experiences with past hospitalizations and involuntary restraint, emphasizing, ‘Everything about this illness says I shouldn’t be here, but I am.’
Elyn has authored five books and over fifty articles in the field of law and mental health, delving into topics such as the ethics of psychiatric research and forced treatment. Her memoir, ‘The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness,’ provides profound insight into her journey living with schizophrenia.
Elyn attributes her presence today to a strong support network and access to excellent mental health care. This aligns with the mission of FundaMental Health, which is to ensure that more people can live to their full potential by providing support and quality mental health care.
