Watch a recording of the Mary Scott Lecture presented on April 22.

Antoine Bailliard, associate professor of occupational therapy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will give the 2021 Virtual Mary Scott Lecture on April 22, hosted by Colorado State University’s College of Health and Human Sciences.

The virtual lecture will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. To register for the event and receive a link to join, visit the College of Health and Human Sciences Events Calendar.

Bailliard’s presentation, entitled “Stabilization Through Participation: How Meaningful Activities Promote Mental Health, Wellness, and Belonging,” covers the central role of participation in meaningful activity as a stabilizing factor for adults with mental illness.

“All community members, students, faculty, staff, and professionals are welcome,” said Karen Atler, associate professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy. “Dr. Bailliard will share useful information and perspectives for those who themselves have experienced or are familiar with those who experience mental illness. His presentation will focus on uncovering how people can influence the state of their own health through engagement in everyday activities.”

Attendees will:

• gain a greater understanding of the current research and theory on the importance of participation in everyday life for community dwelling adults with serious mental illness, and
• will learn ways to facilitate meaningful participation among community dwelling adults with serious mental illness.

“We are so pleased that Dr. Bailliard will speak at CSU for the Mary Scott Lecture Series,” said Dean Lise Youngblade. “His expertise on the relationship between mental health, wellness, and meaningful activities is especially needed in these times as society and individuals are faced with increasing challenges around mental health.”

About Bailliard

Bailliard is an associate professor of occupational science and occupational therapy. His research and clinical practice focus on improving the quality of life and community integration of marginalized populations such as adults with mental illness and migrant groups.

Using participatory research methods, he has studied the relationship between the embodiment of sensory experiences and mental health. Bailliard has also studied the relationship between participation in occupation and theories of social/occupational justice.

He currently serves as a research fellow at the Community Outcomes Research and Evaluation Center at the North Carolina Psychiatric Research Center. He also is a consultant and trainer for the Institute of Best Practices at the Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health at UNC-Chapel Hill.

About Mary Scott

The Mary Scott Lecture Series at CSU is made possible by a charitable trust endowed by Mary E. Scott to the College of Health and Human Sciences upon her death in 1984. The purpose of the Mary E. Scott Lecture Series is to address a topic relevant to the lives of individuals and families. Throughout her career as a social worker, Scott was committed to improving the lives of those around her. Born in Tinmath, Colorado, in 1883, she attended Fort Collins High School, earned a B.A. in history and economics from Colorado College, and furthered her education with graduate study in sociology at Columbia University.

She began her social work career at Ellis Island, helping immigrants become oriented to life in the United States. Most of her career, however, was spent working for the Y.W.C.A. She was a staff member at the national office from 1913 to 1935 and served as executive director of the Y.W.C.A.’s central branch in Pittsburgh until 1945, when she retired and returned to Colorado. She served on CSU’s governing board, then called the State Board of Agriculture, from 1961 to 1968 and was presented with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in 1973.

The Department of Occupational Therapy is a part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.