A new video airing this Saturday highlights the stories of teens from southeast Michigan, including two students from Community High School, one of whom has since graduated.
Madeline Halpert and Eva Rosenfeld were filmed last spring discussing the article they co-wrote for the New York Times about mental health stigma titled, “Depressed, but Not Ashamed.”
The video—“Opening Minds—Ending Stigma, A Young Person’s Perspective,” explores the warning signs and early intervention approaches that can address mental illness at its most treatable stage. Through personal stories which are candidly told by young people who have faced challenges associated with a variety of mental disorders, viewers discover when and where to seek help.
Produced by the Detroit-based Ethel and James Flinn Foundation in partnership with Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority, the video makes its broadcast premiere on Saturday, October 24 at 7 p.m. on WDIV Channel 4. The 30-minute special aims to promote understanding of mental illness and remove obstacles to treatment for children, adolescents, and young adults.
One in five children and young adults will experience mental illness, with the onset commonly occurring between ages 14 and 24. The statistics from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) also reveal that there is an average delay of eight years from initial symptoms to effective treatment.
The Flinn Foundation in concert with DWMHA produced this privately funded special as what they hope to be a statewide effort to educate people about mental illness and improve services and treatment.
This special will be made available to schools, colleges, mental health organizations, and others as a community service to distribute after its TV broadcast debut. If interested, contacts are listed above or visit www.flinnfoundation.org or www.dwmha.com
“Treating mental illness shouldn’t be viewed any differently than treating physical illness,” said Andrea Cole, CEO of the Flinn Foundation.
“It’s time to change the conversation and outdated views about mental illness,” added Tom Watkins, President/CEO of the DWMHA.
Those appearing in “Opening Minds – Ending Stigma, A Young Person’s Perspective” include:
- Andrea Cole – Ethel and James Flinn Foundation
- Tom Watkins – Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority
- S. Senator Debbie Stabenow
- Governor Rick Snyder
- Michigan Lt. Governor Brian Calley
- Kevin Fischer – NAMI Michigan
- John Greden – U of M Depression Center
- Ted Hunter – Harbor Behavioral Healthcare
- Kate Middleton – Duchess of Cambridge
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