From: Phil deHaan (dehp@calvin.edu)
Date: Fri Aug 08 2003 - 10:08:16 EDT
August 8, 2003 == MEDIA ADVISORY
As a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Alvin Poussaint
has the professional credentials to speak about mental health. And as an
African American he has a special interest in the mental health of African
Americans. But as the brother of a heroin addict and paranoid schizophrenic, he
has a personal connection to the plight of those who struggle daily with things
others take for granted. And that personal connection makes his talks on the
topic of mental health memorable.
On September 18, Pathfinder Resources and Calvin College will welcome
Poussaint, who, in addition to his many other duties, writes a column in
"Ebony" magazine and used to be a consultant to the Cosby Show. Poussaint will
speak about substance abuse and mental health in a 7 p.m. address in the Calvin
Chapel that is free and open to all.
In 2000 Poussaint wrote "Lay My Burden Down: Unraveling Suicide and the
Mental Health Crisis Among African-Americans." Co-authored with Boston
journalist Amy Alexander, the book tells the story of Poussaint's older
brother Kenny, who struggled with heroin addiction and paranoid schizophrenia
until age 42, when he died as a result of meningitis contracted through use of
a dirty needle.
In part, Poussaint argues that people engage in risky behaviors such as drug
use to cover suicidal feelings that are exacerbated by discrimination and low
self-esteem.
Pathfinder Resources is a nonprofit organization that provides outpatient and
residential treatment services to persons throughout West Michigan.
"The purpose of the event at Calvin," says director Bill Paxton, "is to
recognize National Recovery Month, to educate the community about the problem
of substance abuse in our community and to reduce the stigma society places on
the people we serve."
Paxton says one out of four Americans experiences family problems related to
alcohol abuse. Eighty percent of the people in prison are there because of an
alcohol or drug related problem. And alcohol and other drug abuse cost society
an estimated $278 billion annually.
-end-
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