I have often spoken about the arts and mental illness. There are a variety of artists that have used their artistic talents to publicize the reality of dealing with mental illness. Many of them are people living with mental illness, such as Star Wars star Carrie Fisher with her one woman stage show. ("Bipolar Incidents") I will always look for promising artistic representations of the issues surrounding mental illness. And I will try to introduce them to you. Here is another extraordinary effort. In an article in the Huffington Post, Peter Rosenstein introduces us to a short film. The name of the short film is "My Only Son". Starring Jonathon Looper, "My Only Son" talks about a veteran who comes home from war only to deal with mental illness. He is schizophrenic. It is a story written by Jonathon after reconnecting with a childhood friend. This friend, Dustin DeMoss, allowed Jonathon to interview him and share his story. There is a short film available online to show you some of what is going into the bigger project...a feature length film called "Light Wounds". There is a grass-roots effort to collect funds for the production of this project. If you can, I would ask that you donate to the effort. If not, at least take a look at this short film. It talks about the reality of mental illness. It focuses on the problems experienced with mental illness by veterans.
Given what occurred at Navy Yard, it is clearly a story that is important today. Many veterans come home to mental health issues. From PTSD to schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder...our Vets really do carry quite a burden in addition to the realities of war.. This is reflected in the high rates of suicide that Vets experience. According to the most recent VA study as seen in the NY Times, Vets commit suicide at the heartbreaking rate of 22 a day. (http://nydn.us/YsJdna) That is 22 lives wasted on a daily basis. Lives that made a sacrifice to defend this country. Somehow I believe that any effort that we make to understand their burden will go a long way towards validating the importance of the sacrifices that they have made for all of us. We have to give them our understanding.
Of course, the reality is that the stigma is alive and well. Mental illness isn't understood in this country. We don't show that we value people. That is shown by the way we have historically and currently treat the mentally ill. Our veterans are probably a significant number of the mentally ill human beings dealing with the reality of mental illness and becoming homeless or going to jail. The name of my article is taken from a quote from Dustin. Everybody does need a little more humanity. That is real. What a profound thought. What if we were more humane? What if we challenged the stigma? What if we used empathy instead of judgement. What if?
I ask that you financially support this film if you are able. If not, please stay aware of it. And support the film whenever it comes out. Who knows what you may recognize? Who knows what you may learn? Who knows whether you may save a life...
Given what occurred at Navy Yard, it is clearly a story that is important today. Many veterans come home to mental health issues. From PTSD to schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder...our Vets really do carry quite a burden in addition to the realities of war.. This is reflected in the high rates of suicide that Vets experience. According to the most recent VA study as seen in the NY Times, Vets commit suicide at the heartbreaking rate of 22 a day. (http://nydn.us/YsJdna) That is 22 lives wasted on a daily basis. Lives that made a sacrifice to defend this country. Somehow I believe that any effort that we make to understand their burden will go a long way towards validating the importance of the sacrifices that they have made for all of us. We have to give them our understanding.
Of course, the reality is that the stigma is alive and well. Mental illness isn't understood in this country. We don't show that we value people. That is shown by the way we have historically and currently treat the mentally ill. Our veterans are probably a significant number of the mentally ill human beings dealing with the reality of mental illness and becoming homeless or going to jail. The name of my article is taken from a quote from Dustin. Everybody does need a little more humanity. That is real. What a profound thought. What if we were more humane? What if we challenged the stigma? What if we used empathy instead of judgement. What if?
I ask that you financially support this film if you are able. If not, please stay aware of it. And support the film whenever it comes out. Who knows what you may recognize? Who knows what you may learn? Who knows whether you may save a life...
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