A panel discussion entitled “Mental Illness: Our Community’s Journey to Understanding, Compassion and Hope” was presented at the 2014 National Philoptochos Biennial Convention in Philadelphia, PA to more than 450 delegates and guests.
Conceived of and moderated by Paulette Geanacopoulos, LMSW, the organization’s Director of Social Work, the program offered eye-opening statistics and information about the prevalence of mental illness in society and our community, its impact on family members, cultural interpretations of demonic possession and exorcisms, and proposed actions that we, as a faith-based community, can take to ensure that we treat all of our brothers and sisters -– regardless how “different” we may consider them to be -- with love, kindness, and hope.
Panelists:
DEMETRIA DELIA, Ph.D., LCSW, MA: “Understanding Mental Illness”
CHRISTINA KALLAS, ESQ.: “The Impact of Mental Illness on the Family”
REV. PROTOPRESBYTER NICHOLAS G. ANCTIL: "Supporting the Journey through Faith & Hope"
Click here for the Summary of Each Panelist’s Presentation.
Click here for the Responses to the Questions Submitted by Audience Members.
Click here for the Full Biographies of the Speakers.
For more resources on the Social Services Department webpage, click here.
