2023 Dorothy C. Fuqua Lecture
On Tuesday, May 9, 2023, Skyland Trail hosted the 12th annual Dorothy C. Fuqua Lecture Series. The lecture, titled “Beautiful Boy: One family's journey with mental illness and addiction,” explored the intersection of addiction and mental health disorders through personal stories and an expert panel discussion. More than 200 people attended the free event, which was hosted by Skyland Trail and the Addiction Alliance of Georgia.
The event featured a conversation with David and Nic Sheff, the father and son whose story inspired the movie, “Beautiful Boy.” Through a conversation moderated by Jay Watson, host and co-executive producer of the PBS series “Your Fantastic Mind,” David and Nic shared how their family navigated Nic’s struggle with bipolar disorder and addiction.
An expert panel discussion following the conversation included Carlyle Bruce, PhD, Skyland Trail Director of Psychological Services and Family Therapist; Ben Hunter, MD, Skyland Trail Interim Chief Medical Officer; and Justine Welsh, MD, Medical Director of the Addiction Alliance of Georgia.
Resources
- Skyland Trail Adult Residential Dual Diagnosis Program
- Skyland Trail Adolescent Residential Program with Dual Diagnosis Groups
- Addiction Alliance of Georgia Admissions
- Emory Healthcare Addiction Services
- Hazelden Betty Ford Addiction Services
- Family Programs and Support (Hazelden Betty Ford)
- Al-Anon
- Alateen
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Narcotics Anonymous
- Georgia Opioid Response
About the Dorothy C. Fuqua Lecture Series
The goal of this annual event is to amplify the voices of mental health experts and individuals with lived experience to elevate mental health as an issue of importance here in Atlanta and across the country.
The lecture series honors the late Dorothy Chapman Fuqua, former board member and benefactor of Skyland Trail, and is made possible by Duvall and Rex Fuqua and Edwina and Tom Johnson in honor of Mrs. Fuqua.
Past Lectures
2023
"Beautiful Boy" One family's journey with mental illness and addiction
Keynote Conversation: David and Nic Sheff
Panelists: Carlyle Bruce, PhD, Director of Psychological Services and Family Therapist, Skyland Trail; Ben Hunter, MD, Interim Chief Medical Officer, Skyland Trail; Justine Welsh, MD, Medical Director of the Addiction Alliance of Georgia
Moderator: Jaye Watson, Host & Co-executive producer, “Your Fantastic Mind,” PBS
2022
"Addressing the Teen Mental Health Crisis"
Keynote: Debra Houry, MD, MPH, Acting Principal Deputy Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Director, CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Panelists: Fred Assaf, M.Ed, Head of School, Pace Academy; Emily Anne Vall, PhD, Executive Director, Resilient Georgia; W. Edward Craighead, PhD, ABPP, Dept. of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University; (moderator) Ray Kotwicki, MD, MPH, DFAPA, Charles B. West Chief Medical Officer, Skyland Trail
2021
"The Weight of Gold"
Panelists: 2006 Olympic Silver Medalist and World Champion figure skater Sasha Cohen; film director-producer Brett Rapkin; sports psychologist Kensa Gunter, PPsy.D., CMPC; and Skyland Trail Charles B. West Chief Medical Officer Raymond J. Kotwicki, MD, MPH, DFAPA
2020
"Managing Anxiety in Anxious Times"
Panelists: Ben Hunter, MD; Raymond J. Kotwicki, MD, MPH, DFAPA; Barbara J. Coffey, MD, MS
2019
"From Tragedy to Treatment: The Path Forward for Suicide Prevention"
Featured Speaker: Former U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates
Panelists: Ben Hunter, MD; Dorian Lamis, PhD; Rev. Dr. D. Scott Weimer
2016
“In Our Shoes” at The Carter Center
Panelists: Virginia Senator Creigh Deeds, Ms. Julie Hirsch, Honorable Patrick J. Kennedy
2015
“Schumann: Music, Mood Swings & Madness”
Featured Speaker: Richard Kogan, MD, psychiatrist and Julliard-trained concert pianist
2014
“In Our Shoes”
Featured Speakers: comedian Kevin Breel, and author Melody Moezzi
2013
“Mental Illness in America: From Stigma to Strategy”
Moderator: Sanjay Gupta, MD
Panelists: authors Linea & Cinda Johnson and CDC epidemiologist Alex Crosby, MD