“Nurturing mental health resiliency” is the theme of the the 2019 Dr. Eric Jackman Lecture and York University Psychology Clinic 10th Anniversary celebration, presented by the Faculty of Health.
The Oct. 2 event will feature Olympian, inspirational speaker and author Silken Laumann, giving a talk titled “Rising to the challenges of life through mental health and wellness.” Also speaking will be former senator Michael Kirby, founding Chair of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, on the topic of “Openness, inclusion and essential next steps.”
The event will take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan Theatre, Accolade East Building, on York University’s Keele Campus. Tickets for the 2019 Dr. Eric Jackman Lecture and York University Psychology Clinic 10th Anniversary celebration, which can be purchased online, are $10 for general admission and $5 for students and seniors. For more information about the event, contact Julie Castle at 416-650-8076 or jcastle@yorku.ca.
Silken Laumann
From broken bones and shredded muscle to Olympic glory, Laumann’s story is one of courage, perseverance and the triumph of the human spirit.
In May 1992, just 10 weeks before the Olympic Games, Laumann was injured in a brutal rowing accident that left her right leg shattered and useless. Reigning world champion in single sculls rowing, she was told by doctors she might never row again.
Twenty-seven days, five operations and countless hours of gruelling rehabilitation later, Laumann was back in her shell, ready to pursue her Olympic dream. When the starter’s pistol rang out on Aug. 2, 1992, she made the greatest comeback in Canadian sports history, winning the bronze medal for Canada and capturing the hearts of a nation.
Laumann retired from rowing in 1999 with three Olympic medals, and since then has continued to inspire, encouraging people to dream, live in the moment and embrace failure as a stepping stone to success.
Michael Kirby
Kirby has had a distinguished career in public service, holding numerous senior appointments in the civil service.
He was summoned to the Senate of Canada in 1984 and retired in 2006, after 22 years of service. From 1999 to 2006, he chaired the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science & Technology. Under his leadership, the committee produced 11 health-care reports, including the first-ever national report on mental health, mental illness and addiction. One of the key recommendations was the creation of the Mental Health Commission of Canada. As inaugural Chair of the commission, Kirby oversaw the production of Canada’s first national mental health strategy. In March 2012, he resigned as Chair of the commission to become the inaugural Chair of Partners for Mental Health, Canada’s first national social movement in support of mental health and an organization he created to mobilize thousands of Canadians in support of improving mental health services.
After being a part of the opening celebration of York University’s Psychology Clinic a decade ago, Kirby returns to the University for the clinic’s 10-year anniversary celebration.