Join us for the second lecture in the Laurier Milton Lecture Series - "We are all God's Children:" Challenges of stigma towards individuals diagnosed with mental illness in the Global South & Its Implications for the Global North Abstract
Wilfrid Laurier University, the Town of Milton and the Milton Public Library are pleased to present the 2020-2021 Laurier Milton Lecture Series.
Wilfrid Laurier has long supported the public role of academics to bring their knowledge and thinking outside of the classroom. The Laurier Milton Lecture Series provides a wonderful opportunity to engage in a public dialogue with citizens of Milton on a broad array of important topics. We are pleased that the presentations represent the current research and analysis of members of different faculties, departments and programs.
Lectures take place the second Wednesday of each month starting September 2020 and until May 2021 from 7- 8 pm. Lectures will take place via Zoom. Registration required and is free. Please register at beinspired.ca/lmls
October 14th lecture will discuss "We are all God's Children:" Challenges of stigma towards individuals diagnosed with mental illness in the Global South and Its Implications for the Global North Abstract presented by Magnus Mfoafo-M'Carthy, PhD, Associate Professor, Carnegie Diaspora Fellow (University of Ghana), Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work.
Notwithstanding advances in human rights and mental health treatment in the Global North, stigma continues to persist in most African countries and the developing world. In Ghana, for instance, effective treatment for individuals diagnosed with mental illness remains elusive to many people. Without adequate support, discrimination, marginalization, and oppression tend to be common. This presentation explores the stigma associated with individuals diagnosed with mental illness in Ghana and the difficulties they face regarding the mental health system. This presentation will discuss a qualitative study undertaken in Ghana to bolster the argument regarding the barriers faced by this population. The implications of mental health stigma on immigrant communities in Canada will also be explored, as many of the struggles faced by immigrant communities are a microcosm of some of what they face in their home countries.
Magnus Mfoafo-M'Carthy is an Associate Professor at the Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Mfoafo-M'Carthy holds a Masters and PhD in Social Work from Columbia University and the University of Toronto respectively. He is the 2009 recipient of the Hilary M. Weston scholarship for scholastic achievement and commitment to mental health. A former Associate Director of Laurier's Tshepo Institute for the Study of Contemporary Africa (TISCA) and a former Carnegie Diasporan Fellow at the University of Ghana. He has extensive policy, teaching, and research experience and has worked in adolescent and adult mental health organizations in New York City, British Columbia, and Ontario, including the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto. He previously taught at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto and the School of Social Work, University of Windsor. Dr. Mfoafo-M'Carthy's research focuses on community-based and global mental health practice, disability, inclusive education, international social work, and Afrocentric social work practice. Dr. Mfoafo-M'Carthy has held numerous Canadian research grants exploring stigma, mental health, and disability. He travels regularly to Ghana and other African countries where he researches mental health and disability.
For more, contact the Milton Public Library at 905-875-2665, or by email at information@beinspired.ca.