NAMI Ask the Expert: Facts, Myths and Misconceptions About Long-Acting Antipsychotic Medications

John M. Kane, MD
John M. Kane, MD served as chair of psychiatry for 34 years at the Zucker Hillside Hospital and is currently the Co-Director of the Institute of Behavioral Research at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. He also served as the inaugural chair of Psychiatry at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell for 12 years.

He is the recipient of many awards, including the Lieber Prize, the APA’s Kempf Award and Foundations Prize, the New York State Office of Mental Health Lifetime Achievement Award, The Dean Award from the American College of Psychiatrists. He has served as President of the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology, the Psychiatry Research Society and the Schizophrenia International Research Society.

Dr. Kane has been the principal investigator on 24 U.S. National Institutes of Health grants focusing on schizophrenia, psychobiology and treatment, recovery, and improving the quality and cost of care. He is the author of over 930 peer-reviewed papers and serves on the editorial boards of numerous journals.

Jason Jepson
Jason Jepson grew up in Virginia, but he now lives in Myrtle Beach, SC where he advocates for those who have received a diagnosis of severe mental illness. Jason was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder while he was enlisted in the United States Army. He began his mental health advocacy with NAMI where he received peer-to-peer certification and has since gone on to volunteer helping veterans who have mental health issues. Jason also volunteers with the Share Network and Students with Psychosis. Having obtained an associate degree from Reynolds Community College in Richmond, VA, Jason’s true love is writing. He has written two books, “When We Were Young”, a fictionalized memoir of his late teens, and a book of poetry called Misfires of a Lyrical Mind. Jason is proudest, however, of his first person accounts of day-to-day life living with schizophrenia which appear regularly in Schizophrenia Bulletin, an academic journal published by Oxford Press. His story of recovery has been published and cited in both online and print publications such as The Washington Post, Psych Central, The Mighty, MSN, and Newsweek. His personal story, entitled A Soldier’s Unseen Scars, was chosen for inclusion in Johns Hopkins University’s Bioethics Journal and VOICES, their medical magazine. Jason is happy to share his life experiences in hopes of helping others and removing the stigma that prevents them from getting the help they need.

Maye Jepson
Maye Jepson lives in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and along with her husband Phil, is the caregiver/TRUST PARTNER and parent of Jason Jepson who has a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. Remembering the uncertain days when her family first learned of her son’s mental illness, Maye formed a Facebook support group– Parenting Thru Mental Illness, hoping to give and share resources for those who are newly entering the world of mental illness. In addition to a Bachelor of Science degree, Maye has a master’s degree in counseling from Marshall University and holds the Patient Leadership credential from the Health Union. Like her son, Maye volunteers with the Share Network where she shares her perspective on mental health as a parent, wanting desperately to help a young adult child maneuver the challenges of schizophrenia. She works as a Care Guide for Johnson and Johnson’s Connected by Hope program where she guides other families as they begin their battle with schizophrenia. Maye serves on the Advisory Board of Students with Psychosis because she believes in the importance of shedding light on mental health issues from the youngest to the oldest consumer. They have shared their mental health advocacy with numerous groups around the country. She and Jason also are active members of SC NAMI and have presented at the national NAMI conference.