Michigan State University’s Mental Health Research Connect, in collaboration with NAMI Lansing, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, will host a special event during Mental Illness Awareness Week on October 7.
The event will feature Thomas Insel, MD, the former Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, who will deliver a virtual keynote lecture titled “What Comes Next: Healing, Recovery, and the Future of Mental Health Care.” Dr. Insel is a nationally recognized leader in mental health care.
This free community event will bring together individuals with lived experience, family members, mental health professionals, students, researchers, and community advocates to explore recovery, healing, and opportunities to transform our mental health system.
Dr. Insel's talk will be followed by a Q&A with the audience. A live panel discussion with local experts and community leaders will then consider how these ideas can be applied within our communities before engaging attendees in further discussion about the future of mental health care.
“Effective mental health care includes high-quality treatment, but recovery is also shaped by the conditions of people’s everyday lives—their relationships, sense of belonging, access to safe and stable housing, opportunities for meaningful roles and activity, and connection to community. This event focuses especially on serious mental illness and on the clinical and social conditions that shape recovery, independence, and purpose,” said Katharine Thakkar, Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of MSU’s Mental Health Research Connect.
This event is sponsored by three organizations. First, MSU Mental Health Research Connect aims to bridge the gap between researchers and individuals whose lives are impacted by mental illness. They welcome any adult over the age of 18 to join their program, whether they have experienced mental health challenges themselves, have loved ones who struggle with mental health, or just want to get involved. Second, NAMI Lansing provides advocacy, education, support, and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental health conditions can live healthy and fulfilling lives. And, third, the Gerson Family Mental Health Initiative, which provides students in the College of Social Science with mental health support and education.
"At NAMI Lansing, we believe meaningful change happens when communities, researchers, and mental health professionals come together with a shared commitment to improving lives," said Katreva N. Bisbee, NAMI Lansing President. "Events like this help bridge knowledge and lived experience, creating space for important conversations that strengthen understanding, reduce stigma, and move us toward more compassionate, accessible, and effective mental health support for everyone. We’re especially excited to welcome Dr. Tom Insel and to have a conversation about what the future of mental health care can look like.”
Event location: Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, 1300 Auditorium, Michigan State University, 640 South Shaw Lane
Schedule: Local organizations will share information about their efforts to strengthen community and mental health beginning at 6:30 p.m. The formal program will begin at 7:00 p.m., followed by a reception and another opportunity to connect with participating organizations.