ENGAGING INSIGHTS: CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE WITH PSYCHIATRIC DIAGNOSES AND THEIR FAMILIES AROUND PSYCHIATRIC GENETICS

As someone who grew up living with a diagnosis of schizophrenia - among others - at a time when our view of genetics was much simpler and deterministic, the work of “communicating about psychiatric genetics in a diverse world" is a priority for me. Like many living with a diagnosis, my search of answers actually uncovered more questions. My conversations with skilled professionals in the world of psychiatric genetics have been productive and informative for both me and them. Such an experience encouraged me to try and engage more people who share my diagnoses to participate in these discussions.

This presentation will draw on my work with people with psychiatric diagnoses and their families, exploring the journey from initial hesitation to meaningful engagement in psychiatric genetics. I will discuss how we can bridge clinical knowledge with real-world dialogues, revealing the transformative power of informed discussions.

Drawing on ten years of experience, I will begin with the common initial reactions—either a belief that psychiatric genetics was too complex or a question of its relevance. I will share how we navigated these perceptions to foster a genuine interest and understanding. In addition, I will share the strategies that helped demystify complex genetic concepts and the explanations that resonated, as well as how simplifying our approach made genetic science accessible and relevant. I will highlight the most effective questions and topics that emerged during our discussions, such as genetic risk factors and their implications for treatment choices and lifestyle decisions. The presentation will emphasise the mutual benefits gained from these interactions, underscoring a shared journey of discovery that enriched both the participants' and the professionals' understanding.

We started from a place where many felt that psychiatric genetics was either too complex to grasp or simply irrelevant. Overall, this presentation will demonstrate how we moved from those initial doubts to a deeper, more informed understanding that empowers - rather than confounds - people with psychiatric diagnoses. I hope this presentation will encourage and give confidence to enable skilled professionals to navigate complex issues and share their knowledge with those who stand to benefit most.