Elyn Saks

Elyn R. Saks (born May 30, 1955) is an American professor, author, and mental health advocate. She is the Orrin B. Evans Professor of Law, Psychology, and Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law, and an adjunct professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego.

Early Life and Education

Elyn Saks was born in Miami, Florida. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University, her Master of Letters from Oxford University as a Marshall Scholar, and her Juris Doctor from Yale Law School.

Career

Saks is a prominent figure in the field of mental health law and has contributed significantly to the understanding of mental illness and legal rights. She is known for her work on the rights of people with mental illness and has been a strong advocate for mental health awareness.

Personal Life

Saks has publicly shared her own experiences with schizophrenia, which she detailed in her memoir, The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness. Her openness about her condition has helped to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.

Awards and Recognition

Elyn Saks has received numerous awards for her work, including a MacArthur Fellowship in 2009. She has been recognized for her contributions to mental health advocacy and legal scholarship.

Publications

Saks has authored several books and articles on mental health law and psychiatry. Her notable works include:

• The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness
• Refusing Care: Forced Treatment and the Rights of the Mentally Ill

See Also

• Mental Health Law
• Schizophrenia
• MacArthur Fellowship

External Links

• Elyn Saks at USC
• Elyn Saks MacArthur Fellowship