Kentucky

Professor Elyn Saks to speak at University of Louisville tonight (Sunday).  Admission is free.  Here is story from Courier Journal.  Professor Saks is a law professor from Southern California who recently published a book about her lifelong struggle with schizophrenia and the practice of law and teaching.   She was invited here by Professor Jone of University of Louisville Law School.  The time is 7:30 at Strickler Hall.  It's free.  Booksigning and questions afterward.

Author to speak tonight about her schizophrenia

By Deborah Yetter ? dyetter@courier-journal.com ? October 26, 2008

California law professor Elyn Saks said she had some reservations about publishing a personal account of her lifelong struggle with schizophrenia last year.

But Saks said she did it to show that people with severe mental illness can succeed with proper medication and psychiatric treatment.

Saks, 53, a professor at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law, will speak at the University of Louisville's Strickler Hall at 7:30 tonight.

The reaction to her book, "The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness," has been overwhelmingly positive, she said in a recent interview.

"I've gotten a great response since the book has come out, enormous support and love and thanks," Saks said. "It's been enormously gratifying."

She is appearing at U of L at the invitation of law professor James T. R. Jones, who last year wrote publicly about his severe bipolar disorder for the first time. The two became friends after learning of each other's work.

"We sort of hit it off," said Saks, who believes they are the only two law professors in the country to "come out" about their mental illnesses.

Jones, 54, who will introduce her, said he is "enormously excited" about her appearance.

Saks will take questions at her talk and be available afterward to sign copies of her book, which will be on sale.

The event, sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Louisville, is free and open to the public.