Elyn Saks

Date of Birth: March 10, 1955

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Biography

Elyn Saks is a renowned educator, author, and mental health advocate, best known for her work in law, psychology, and psychiatry. She was born in Miami, Florida, and has made significant contributions to the understanding and destigmatization of mental illness. Despite being diagnosed with schizophrenia in her early adulthood, Saks has managed to carve out a distinguished career as a professor at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law, where she also serves as the Orrin B. Evans Professor of Law, Psychology, Psychiatry, and the Behavioral Sciences. Her memoir, “The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness,” has been widely acclaimed for its candid and insightful portrayal of living with schizophrenia. Saks is also a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship winner, often referred to as a “Genius Grant,” which she received in 2009.

5 Interesting Facts about Elyn Saks

1. Elyn Saks graduated from Vanderbilt University, Oxford University (where she was a Marshall Scholar), and Yale Law School.

2. She has authored several scholarly articles and books on mental health law, including her influential memoir.

3. Saks is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and has received numerous awards for her work in mental health advocacy.

4. She founded the Saks Institute for Mental Health Law, Policy, and Ethics at USC, which aims to foster interdisciplinary research and policy reform in mental health law.

5. Despite her diagnosis of schizophrenia, Saks has been able to manage her condition through a combination of medication, therapy, and a strong support network.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Elyn Saks

1. “My good fortune is not that I’ve recovered from mental illness. I have not, nor will I ever. My good fortune lies in having found my life.”

2. “There are no ‘Schizophrenics,’ only people with schizophrenia.”

3. “The humanity we all share is more important than the mental illnesses we may not.”

4. “One of the things I hope to accomplish by writing ‘The Center Cannot Hold’ is to give other people hope that if they have a mental illness, they can still live a meaningful life.”

5. “Stigma against mental illness is still a major barrier to people seeking help and receiving the treatment they need.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As of the latest available information, Elyn Saks’ net worth is estimated to be around $1 million, primarily accrued from her academic career, book sales, and consulting work.