"Follow My Brain" Virtual Panel Discussion

The Schizophrenia Society of Canada is hosting a FREE virtual panel discussion on May 24, 2022, at 1:00 pm EST. The panel discussion will focus on the importance of awareness and will spotlight the Canadian film Follow My Brain, which follows a young man, Cam Webster, as he moves through the onset of, and recovery from, schizoaffective disorder.

The Follow My Brain film has been an Official Selection at the Canberra Mental Health Film Festival 2020, the Mental Filmness 2021, and MHSA Film Festival in 2021. You are encouraged to view the film ahead of the panel discussion at https://www.followmybrain.com/film.

While attitudes toward mental health have changed, we all know that the myths, misunderstandings, and misconceptions surrounding early psychosis and schizophrenia remain stubbornly high. Awareness leading to understanding and compassionate presence is important in the recovery journey for those striving to live beyond the limitations of their mental illness. That is why Early Psychosis and Schizophrenia Awareness Day is so important to the Schizophrenia Society of Canada.

The panel will consist of:

• Cam Webster, a mental health advocate who has lived experience. Cam was hospitalized when he was 19 and later diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. But through time, effort, support from family and friends, having a good treatment team, taking medications, listening to doctors, and learning skills on how to manage schizoaffective disorder such as CBT, Cam has made a full recovery.

• Robyn Thomas, a mental health advocate and director of the documentary film Follow My Brain. She received her MSc in Global Mental Health from the University of Edinburgh where she is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Anthropology.

• David Butler, a mental health nurse with lived experience as a family member. He has worked on large projects around mental health redesign and has been involved in developing Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) programs in Canada and UK for 25 years.