Shannon Pagdon

Shannon Pagdon, BA (she/they), is a joint master’s/doctoral student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work. Shannon earned a Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and previously worked as a Research Coordinator for EPINET at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, as well as with the EPICAL network. As someone with lived experience of psychosis, Shannon has a rich background in peer support and is dedicated to centering lived perspectives in their work.

Shannon is the co-creator of Psychosis Outside the Box and currently serves as Vice President of Lived Experience Research within the IEPA. Under the mentorship of Dr. Nev Jones, their graduate research focuses on a nationwide qualitative examination of peer support in the United States.

Shannon is passionate about amplifying historically neglected experiences of psychosis, reducing carceral interventions during crises, advancing peer support, and transforming mental health language. They are committed to expanding access to mental health care in smaller communities, using lived experience to inform research and practice, and developing lived experience-informed approaches to improve systems of care and policy. In their spare time, Shannon enjoys writing, reading and playing with their dog, Scout!