Offered in partnership with New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (NYAPRS) and Community Access.
This webinar will discuss the history and future of the Soteria model, an evidence-based alternative to acute hospitalization for persons experiencing psychiatric crises. Soteria provides intensive support in a communal residential setting with emphasis on humane interactions and understanding.
Replications of the Soteria model have been few and far between since the remarkable success of the original Soteria experiment, spearheaded by Loren Mosher and Alma Menn in the 1970s. Recently, a wide-ranging renewal of the Soteria model has taken place in Israel with very positive outcomes.
The need for alternatives to police intervention and hospitalization for crisis stabilization, has led to a development of short term residential facilities in many US states. Following the success of the Parachute Project, New York State has been a pioneer in promoting the establishment of such residential alternatives with an eye on further expansion. This discussion will consider how the Soteria model would be uniquely impactful in New York State.
Speakers:
Pesach Lichtenberg | Founder, Soteria Isreal; Psychiatrist based in Jerusalem
Voyce Hendrix | Director, Soteria San Jose (1976-78); Social Worker, St. Paul, MN
Yana Jacobs | Counselor, Soteria San Jose; Social Worker, Santa Cruz, CA
Daniel Bergner | Contributing Writer, New York Times; Author of Upcoming Book – The Mind and the Moon – My Brother, the Science of Our Brains and the Search for Our Psyches
Elan Cohen | Clinical Psychology Doctoral Candidate and Former Peer Specialist with the Parachute Program
Peter Stastny | Psychiatric Consultant; Co-Founder of International Network Towards Alternatives and Rights-Based Supports