Author Bill MacPhee speaks to Social Work students about mental illness on November 20, 2014.
On November 20, students studying diversity at Niagara College had the opportunity to learn about schizophrenia and recovery from author and CEO of Magpie Publishing, Bill MacPhee.
Magpie publishes SZ Magazine and Anchor Magazine. MacPhee is a successful businessman, author, international speaker, mental health advocate, husband and father. He is the recipient of numerous awards including: 2012 National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare’s Mentorship Award- second prize recipient; 2011 Kaiser Foundation National Awards for Excellence- Media Reporting; 2009 Transforming Lives Award (Center for Addiction and Mental Health); 2007 Ontario Psychiatric Association Theodore Allen Sweet Award; 2005 National Alliance on Mental Illness New York State Distinguished Media Award; 2005 FAME (Family Association for Mental Health Everywhere) Award; 2004 National Alliance on Mental Illness Lionel Aldridge Award; 2002 Golden Jubilee Medal of Queen Elizabeth II; 2001 Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Award; 2001 Canadian Mental Health Association Media Award;1996 Lieutenant Governor of Ontario’s Community Action Award.
Life was not always this way for MacPhee. At 24, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. During his presentation at Niagara College, MacPhee gave students an inside view of what his mindset was like during the period of his life when he lived out of reality. He details the journey through his own ‘beautiful mind’ that included his hallucinations, his paranoia, his hospitalization on six different occasions, his stay in three group homes, his five years spent on his couch, and his suicide attempt. He spoke about the difficulties.
“Bill often generously donates his time to speak with students at Niagara College to help them understand what it is like to live with schizophrenia and the difficulties of psychosocial rehabilitation given the social stigma that comes with mental health labels,” said Theresa Anzovino, professor of Sociology. “But I think the most powerful message students come away with that is that there is hope in life after mental illness. Students come away with a unique understanding of recovery and what that means and Bill is the personification of this.”
MacPhee’s story was the focus of Canadian film maker Mark Ashdown’s 2009 film, Life After Mental Illness: The Story of Bill MacPhee, which not only highlights his life with schizophrenia, but the stigma attached to the illness as well. Students taking Diversity in Canada have an opportunity to watch this film online.
MacPhee uses his personal story, detailed in his book To Cry A Dry Tear, to help bring awareness to what it is like to be living with schizophrenia and breaking the stigma surrounding the mental illness.
One NC student commented, “We watched his film, but it was so interesting to hear his story in person. I think I will remember it for the rest of my life. I have a family member with a mental health issue and Bill today gave me hope!”
