Minds on the Edge: Facing Mental Illness 2009
Distributed by Films Media Group, PO Box 2053, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-2053; 800-257-5126
Produced by Fred Friendly Seminars, Inc.
Directed by Barbara Margolis
DVD, color, 57 min.
College - Adult
Human Rights, Health Sciences, Psychology, Mental Illness, Law
Date Entered: 10/21/2010
Reviewed by Eugenia Abbey, Georgia Perimeter CollegeThis critically important program brings together leading figures in law, medicine, public policy and advocacy for the mentally ill to discuss frankly and candidly the failures of this country’s broken mental health system. Having failed to develop community-based supportive outreach programs to assist the mentally ill in recovery we face a set of laws designed to protect a frightened public but which make helping the mentally ill nearly impossible. Facilities for the care of the mentally ill are totally inadequate and overwhelmed. The result is the tragedy of confinement to jails or prisons or homelessness. Those who could well recover and become productive never have the chance. The panelists discuss some steps by which we can start the process of change for the better. Technical quality is very high. This film is a must for libraries serving colleges and universities educating future mental health professionals, physicians and lawyers as well as medical and public libraries.
Awards
- Outstanding Media Award for Public Service, National Alliance on Mental Health, 2010
- Winner (Public Affairs programming), Mental Health America 2010 Media Award
- PASS Award, National Council on Crime and Delinquency, 2009