For episode 9 of Perspectives we are pleased to welcome Cecilia McGough and Michelle Hammer, both of whom are not just living with, but thriving with schizophrenia. Cecilia gained acclaim for her Ted Talk “I am Not a Monster” and leads Students with Psychosis. Michelle is an entrepreneur-activist as the artist, designer and driving force behind Schizophrenic.NYC.

Cecilia and Michelle provide a unique perspective on living with schizophrenia and how the COVID-19 crisis and social distancing has exacerbated their symptoms. They describe in incredible detail how they manage their hallucinations and disruptions of reality and explain how other people can apply these tools as they cope with the myriad of emotions generated by our current situation.

Cecilia and Michelle reflect on what led to them to taking on being the face of schizophrenia and why it was so important for them to start the discussion and make a change. They explain the incredible work Students with Psychosis and Schizophrenic NYC are doing to support young people living with psychotic disorders and restructure the conversations around schizophrenia and mental health in general and instill the importance of highlighting the abilities and diversity of those living with schizophrenia.

Matt, Cecilia and Michelle discuss the importance of not losing one’s identity because of a psychiatric diagnosis and the need to embrace your differences and tell your story. They also reminisce over the funny story of how Matt met Cecilia and Michelle and have some fun over Cecilia’s love of graphs. They also discuss their efforts with the STARR Coalition to improve research, which starts with researchers talking to people living with the disorders they are studying.

Finally we impart an important lesson for persevering through this crisis. We discuss how people with mental illness are used to facing invisible enemies and how that teaches us to face our fears and refuse to be paralyzed by fear. Along with facing fears many people with mental illness need to work to be happy and how sometimes being happy is being brave.

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