2019 World Vitiligo Day U.S. Celebration to Highlight Mental Impact
The 2019 U.S. Celebration of World Vitiligo Day – officially designated as June 25th – will take place June 21-23 in Houston, Texas. Focusing on the mental and medical journey of vitiligo, the event will include medical research and treatment updates, mental and emotional health sessions, and a panel discussion promoting open dialogue about the social impact of vitiligo.
The decision to include mental health as part of the event’s theme reflects growing conversation about the role of mental health in vitiligo treatment.
“Mental health should be part of overall treatment of any patient who is having difficulty dealing with their vitiligo,” said Dr. Amit Pandya, dermatologist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. “Studies have shown that mental stress is related to activity of vitiligo.”
And psychologists tend to agree. Dr. Lisa Schuster, child psychologist and assistant professor of psychiatry at UT Southwestern, has vitiligo herself and recognizes the emotional toll the disease can take on patients.
“The most difficult part of living with vitiligo isn’t necessarily the medical issues, but rather the social and emotional difficulties that accompany the diagnosis,” said Dr. Schuster. “Open and honest conversation about the mental impact is necessary and it’s essential that we acknowledge the ways vitiligo can affect a person’s quality of life and their overall well-being.”
The conference will be held at the Marriott Town Square located in Sugar Land, Texas. Reservations can be made online here. The event is hosted by the Houston Vitiligo Awareness Movement in partnership with the Global Vitiligo Foundation and V-Strong. Further information will be provided as it becomes available.
To register, visit https://www.houstonvitiligoawareness.com/wvd-registration. Questions can be directed to Diane Wilkes Tribitt at wvd2019houston@gmail.com. Join the conversation on social media with #WVD2019Houston.
I wish I willl there, but I can’t because I am indian an for indian US visa is very much tuff.
I am also a victim of vigitiligo,i have it all over my body.I am 57 years old.It started when i was 50 years old.I am presently in Uk. I am happy hearing from you. Please any further information should be sent to my email.
I need 2019 to be the year, I started spotting around 1989. Well, three decades of stares and sunburn and spots; it’s enough
i am a victim of vitiligo please invite me to participate world vitiligo day to get a solution for my skin problem
Hi Sebsibie! You can register for World Vitiligo Day at https://www.houstonvitiligoawareness.com/wvd-registration.
Dear Erika please i beg you i am a victim of vitiligo please facilitate every thing which needed for the participation of WVD at Texas i can not afford to attend because my back ground is too poor to attend also if you are volunteer i will attach more photo.
regards!!!!
Dear Erika I have no expense to attend because my back ground is too poor i only have a first degree on clinical nurse please if you can be a sponsor to me or search a sponsor for me because i need a help from you my country is not well developed by the way vitiligo is nothing it is not transmittable to the others also it have no pain simply a problem of skin colour but my country not think as it any how please i need your help
Sebsibie, I’ll ask around to see if there are any scholarships and let you know!
Sebsibie, unfortunately there are no scholarships this year, but the idea is being put forward to the organizing committees for future years. We will be covering the event and sharing information on Living Dappled if you can’t make it in person!
GOOD MORNING ERIKA, THANKS FOR YOUR CONCERNS. GOD BLESS YOU. HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE CONFERENCE.HAVE A BLESSED DAY.
Welcome i will wait the bright future
welcome really thanks from the bottom of my heart!!!
I wrote a play about an African-American woman’s journey with vitiligo. It will be given a staged reading Saturday, June 22 at 3:00 pm in THEARC II. in Washington, DC. This date almost coincides with World Vitiligo Day. If anyone is in DC on June 22nd, please come to the reading and add your voice to the discussion. The play is one of the opening readings for the DC Black Theatre Arts Festival New Works Reading Series that runs from Saturday, June 22/Sunday, June 23 and Saturday, Jun 28/Sunday, Jun 29.
APRIL 19TH 2019.
HI, I AM ESTHER NDULAKA, I HAVE HAD VITILIGO FOR OVER 6 YEARS AND IT HAS COVERED ALMOST 70% OF MY BODY.IT HAS NOT BEEN EASY LIVING WITH IT, THE STARES, THE TRAUMAS ,THE STRESS,THE SADNESS ,THE DISCOMFORT ,IN FACT ITS BEEN TOUGH LIVING WITH VITILIGO. I HOPE AND BELIEVE THAT THIS CONFERENCE WILL HELP A GREAT DEAL, YOU WILL MEET SPECIALISTS AND TALK WITH THEM ONE ON ONE ABOUT LATEST TREATMENTS,AVAILABLE., HOW TO DEAL WITH THE SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL STIGMA OF LIVING WITH VITILIGO. WILL BE VERY GOOD TO MEET PEOPLE LIVING WITH IT AS WELL. TO INTERACT AND HEAR ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES.
SOME PEOPLE IN THE VISAF GROUP WHERE I BELONG THAT ATTENDED LAST YEAR SAID IT WAS WORTH GOING ALL THE WAY SO I ENCOURAGE ALL TO TRY AND ATTEND. IT IS TOUGH LIVING WITH VITILIGO.
GOOD MORNING ERIKA, THANKS FOR YOUR CONCERNS. GOD BLESS YOU. HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE CONFERENCE.HAVE A BLESSED DAY.
Hi i have vitiligo for about two years , it’s discolored my hands knees have a few white spots on my neck and my growing area and mouth , I pray for me and others because it’s very hard to go outside at times but i one thing i,m a live and bless i hope you’re all feel the same way god bless .
Will registration open again or is it too late?