The month of May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, and in metro Detroit a group of people are working to make talking about mental health more common.
The group ‘Community Care Services’ is offering a free screening of the Keith Famie documentary “Death is no the Answer.”
Jill Blackson, the Deputy Director of Community Care Services, told 7 Action News that she’s excited to see the documentary being offered. According to Blackson, the goal is to let people know that you can suffer from mental conditions, including depression, and still have hope.
“In hearing Keith talk about this film, I agree with him 100-percent,” said Blackson. “We want people to walk away with hope.”
In addition to the movie, there will be a panel discussion following the free screening. Doctors, teachers, suicide survivors and more ill be a part of that discussion.
The event is taking place at Heinz C. Prechter Educational & Performing Arts Center located at the Wayne County Community College District - Downriver Campus. The documentary will begin screening at 6 p.m. The event lasts until 9 p.m.
The film also offers enlightened thoughts of finding contentment through mind-body health, diet and music. It explores the world of firefighters, first responders and police, while veterans and current military help the audience better understand PTSD and the difficulties of living with life-changing injuries.
“I’m starting to see the shift where people are not as afraid, or shame-filled, in talking mental health just like they would their physical health,” said Blackson. “Most of us would not have a problem saying, ‘Oh, I’m diabetic and take insulin.’”
Blackson said the goal is for people to have those same type of frank discussions about mental health.
General admission tickets to the “Death is not the Answer” screening are free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged. Tickets are available now at https://deathisnottheanswerccs.eventbrite.com and www.comcareserv.org.
