Category: Mental Health Documentary

The Shrink Next Door

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Introduction

The Shrink Next Door is a podcast by Wondery that tells the story of Isaac Herschkopf, a psychiatrist who abused his relationship with his patients to exploit them for personal gain. The podcast was written and hosted by Joe Nocera. The podcast premiered on 21 May 2019, and consists of 14 episodes.

On 23 April 2020, it was announced that Apple Inc. had given a straight-to-series order for an 8-episode limited series based on The Shrink Next Door for Apple TV+, and it began airing on 12 November 2021. The adaptation is written by Emmy winning writer Georgia Pritchett and directed by Michael Showalter. Dr. Isaac Herschkopf is played by Paul Rudd, and Martin Markowitz is played by Will Ferrell.

Episodes

EpisodeTitleDate
1Welcome to the Neighbourhood21 May 2019
2Sibling Rivalry21 May 2019
3Easy Mark Markowitz23 May 2019
4The Familia28 May 2019
5The Last Straw04 June 2019
6What Did I Do To You?11 June 2019
7Update18 June 2019
8Charged07 August 2019
9My Dinner With Ike14 July 2020
10The Decision22 April 2021
11Interview with Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd12 November 2021
12Interview with Kathryn Hahn and Casey Wilson19 November 2021
13How Michael Showalter Translated the Podcast to the TV Screen03 December 2021
14How Georgia Pritchett Filled in the Blanks17 December 2021

Release

The series aired between 12 November 2021 and 17 December 2021.

The Shrink Next Door was the number one podcast for three weeks straight on Apple’s podcast charts. It won the 2020 Webby Award for Documentary in the category Podcasts.

Miniseries

The Shrink Next Door is an American psychological black comedy-drama miniseries developed by Georgia Pritchett based on the podcast of the same title by Joe Nocera. The miniseries premiered on Apple TV+ on 12 November 2021. The podcast and TV series are both based on the real life story of psychologist Isaac Herschkopf, who in 2021 was determined by New York’s Department of Health to have violated “minimal acceptable standards of care in the psychotherapeutic relationship”.

Outline

Psychiatrist Dr. Ike Herschkopf inserts himself into the life of one of his patients, Marty Markowitz.

Cast

  • Main:
    • Will Ferrell as Martin “Marty” Markowitz
    • Paul Rudd as Dr. Isaac “Ike” Herschkopf
    • Kathryn Hahn as Phyllis Shapiro
    • Casey Wilson as Bonnie Herschkopf
    • Cornell Womack as Bruce
  • Recurring:
    • Sarayu Blue as Miriam
    • Robin Bartlett as Cathy
    • Gable Swanlund as Nancy
    • Richard Aaron Anderson as Joel
    • Allan Wasserman as Rabbi Sherman
    • Christina Vidal as Hannah
  • Guest:
    • Lindsey Kraft as Deborah
    • Lisa Rinna as herself
    • Carlos Lacámara as Benny
    • Annie Korzen as Esther
    • Mindy Sterling as Mrs. Zicherman

Episodes

Number 01: The Consultation

In 1982, Martin “Marty” Markowitz visits Dr. Isaac “Ike” Herschkopf under the advice of his sister, Phyllis Shapiro, in order to help with his anxiety attacks and grief after their parents’ recent deaths. Ike’s unconventional method manages to help Marty as he takes him outside to play basketball and eat lunch, and he helps Marty with a problem concerning his recently broken-up girlfriend. Satisfied with his first session, Marty decides to return while also forming a bond with Ike. In 2010, Ike hosts a party at a large house, while later in the night, the caretaker vandalises the backyard in anger and frustration. The caretaker is revealed to be Marty.

Number 02: The Ceremony

Nearing Marty’s 40th birthday, Ike suggests he have a second bar mitzvah as Marty had not enjoyed his first due to anxiety and stomach problems. Phyllis, however, is against the idea, believing it will dishonour the memories of their parents. Marty and Ike go ahead with it anyway and Phyllis complains to her rabbi, causing him to lodge a complaint to Ike’s rabbi, who, in turn, warns him about it. Marty later berates Phyllis and they have an argument. On his birthday, Marty proceeds with the second bar mitzvah, though most of the people who show up are Ike’s wife and friends. Meanwhile, Phyllis, believing Marty will abandon the idea, prepares his birthday celebration with her kids, only to be left in tears when Marty doesn’t show.

Number 03: The Treatment

Phyllis asks Marty to open the family’s trust fund so she can hire a better lawyer during her divorce. Ike gives Marty a business opportunity when a Broadway show requires his help to make a large curtain for the stage. The curtain ends up costing too much, and Marty’s staff are unenthusiastic at solving the problem. Marty brings Ike to the company to motivate them, and they manage to solve the issue. Alarmed at the increasing closeness between the two, Phyllis visits Ike for a session, which ends badly. Marty later gets into another argument with her and refuses to unlock the trust. While Marty is out with Ike, Phyllis visits his apartment but becomes angered at seeing how close her brother is to Ike. She then robs their parents’ jewels from his vault. Returning home and reading Phyllis’ message, Marty calls Ike and asks for help, in the process revealing his large inheritance. Realising the extent of Marty’s wealth, Ike inserts himself into Marty’s life even further.

Number 04: The Foundation

Marty cuts Phyllis out of his life and hires Ike as a consultant at the fabric company, annoying the company staff. Ike becomes a father to twin girls, but refuses to hire help even as his wife, Bonnie, becomes overwhelmed. This prompts her to hire the help anyway using her own money. Under Ike’s influence, Marty starts a foundation with him, mostly using Marty’s money. Marty later scores a date with Hannah, a girl who works at a frame shop that he and Ike often visit. Ike suggests taking her out to an expensive charity gala on a date. During the gala, both Hannah and Marty become uncomfortable at Ike’s blatant claims and his irresponsible use of Marty’s money. The night ends with Marty having a heart attack and being hospitalised after Ike spends $20,000 of Marty’s money during an auction. Ike later warns Hannah that she should let go of Marty for the good of his recovery.

Number 05: The Family Tree

In 1990, Ike’s father passes away. Marty is invited to the funeral and offers Ike’s family to stay in his Hamptons house for the weekend. Ike begins taking over the house, convincing Marty to redecorate, having him sleep in the guest house instead of the master bedroom, and extending his stay in the house indefinitely as he plans on writing his novel, while making Marty type it on his own. Disliking a large tree in the backyard, Ike tries to have Marty chop it down, but he refuses as it was a tree that his parents planted when they bought the house. Ike becomes angered and threatens to leave, forcing Marty to chop down the tree later in the night in order to salvage his relationship with him. One year later, under Ike’s advice, Marty buys the property next door and combines it with the house.

Number 06: The Party

Ike begins throwing a series of parties at Marty’s Hamptons house, while making Marty serve his guests. In 1997, Marty witnesses Bonnie break down during one of the parties, saying that she does not recognise her husband anymore. In 2007, during another party, Marty meets with Miriam, another of Ike’s patients. She tells him about how Ike previously convinced her to cut off her relationship with her own mother, which she deeply regrets as she missed her death. While in town, Marty meets with a neighbour who talks about Phyllis’ current life, making him realise how much he missed over the last few years. He attempts to run away from Ike but can’t bring himself to do so. While heading back to the city, Miriam’s bus suddenly breaks down; however, it is revealed to be a ploy by Ike to strand Miriam at a nearby gas station while he cuts her off, stating that she is a toxic person.

Number 07: The Breakthrough

In 2010, Ike angrily refuses a plan to move the foundation to New Jersey to keep it from going under. Marty is diagnosed with a hernia and undergoes surgery. Ike never visits him during his recovery. Marty escapes the hospital after four days and confronts Ike, finding out that he was hosting another party at the Hamptons house. Ike attempts to convince Marty that he did everything he could to help him, but when Marty finds out one of his koi fish has died as a result of Ike’s neglect, he breaks down in front of Bonnie, saying he can’t do it anymore. Later that night, Marty begins vandalising the backyard as seen in the first episode. When Marty misses his next therapy session, Ike tries to contact him, only to find that he has moved the foundation to New Jersey without his knowledge. Ike confronts him but is fired from the foundation by Marty as a result.

Number 08: The Verdict

Marty returns to therapy with Ike, wanting to give him another chance. Ike continues with his old ways by having Marty as his best man at the renewal of his wedding vows, even though he and Bonnie have been separated for years. Marty tries to reconnect with Phyllis through her daughter, Nancy, but she angrily rebuffs him. When Marty finds out that the reason Hannah never called him back was because of Ike, he cuts off contact with him for good. Phyllis later confronts Marty approaching Nancy, but she ends up reconciling with him. Ike shows up while Marty and Phyllis are burning his stuff from the house, attempting to convince him again about Phyllis’ toxicity. Marty finally stands up for himself and tells him to leave. One year later, Marty has fully reconnected with Phyllis and her family. He has also sued Ike in an attempt to get his license revoked. Ike tries to insert himself back into Marty’s life one last time, but Marty, now immune to him, says he feels absolutely nothing. The textual epilogue shows that Ike’s license was eventually revoked in 2021, and that Marty has never returned to therapy.

Production

It was announced in February 2020 that a television adaptation of the podcast The Shrink Next Door was in development, in which Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd would star. The series was greenlit and ordered by Apple TV+ in April. Kathryn Hahn and Casey Wilson were added as leads in November, with Sarayu Blue cast in a recurring role in February 2021.

Filming began in November 2020, in Los Angeles and finished in March 2021.

Facing Suicide (2022)

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Introduction

Explore the crisis of suicide, including risk factors and prevention strategies.

Outline

Facing Suicide combines the poignant personal stories of people impacted by suicide with profiles of scientists at the forefront of research to reveal new insights into one of America’s most pressing mental health crises. Shining a light on this difficult topic can destigmatise suicide while revealing that there is help as well as hope for those at risk and their loved ones.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

If you are considering suicide, or if you or someone you know is in emotional crisis, please call or text 988. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centres that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Production & Filming Details

  • Narrator(s):
    • Josh Charles
  • Director(s):
    • James Barrat
  • Producer(s):
  • Writer(s):
  • Music:
  • Cinematography:
  • Editor(s):
  • Production:
    • Twin Cities PBS
    • PBS Distribution
  • Distributor(s):
    • PBS Distribution.
  • Release Date: 25 October 2022.
  • Running Time: 60 minutes.
  • Rating: Unknown (but contains Mature content).
  • Country: US.
  • Language: English.

Matt Willis: Fighting Addiction (2023)

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Introduction

This raw documentary sees Busted’s Matt Willis open up about his struggles with addiction and the pressure it puts on his family, as well as looking into what helps him and others stay clean.

Outline

Musician, actor and dad of three Matt Willis may seem to have it all. He’s part of the hugely successful noughties pop band, Busted, has a flourishing acting career and is happily married to TV presenter Emma Willis, with whom he has three kids. But behind the success, there is one thing that often dominates his thoughts – his addictions. In this raw and honest documentary, Matt opens up about his past and takes an extensive look into his battle with drugs and alcohol, how it has pushed him to the edge, and his daily struggle to keep himself clean and sober. Matt talks about how he constantly lives with the fear of relapse and the pressure that puts on himself and his family.

The film looks back at some of Matt’s darkest days as he begins to explore what could be behind his addiction. Through meeting and talking with others, he tries to understand why he and fellow addicts become dependent on drugs and alcohol, what help is available, and what the latest developments in treatment are. Matt and his brother revisit their childhood home to see if the roots of his addictions can be found in their past.

He visits the rehab unit on the south coast that made a real difference to his recovery and where he spent four weeks in 2008 before his marriage to Emma Willis, coming out the day before his wedding, clean and sober. He joins a meeting at the centre, talking with current clients about their addiction and recovery experiences. Matt also travels to Imperial College London to meet a research team who are studying the differences between the brains of people in addiction and those of people who aren’t, and looks at treatments to help people in the long and often difficult road to recovery.

As well as his personal journey, the film captures the unwavering support Matt has from his bandmates, friends and family, in particular his wife Emma. Together, he and Emma travel to a leading charity in Glasgow that supports the relatives of addicts. Here, they meet the children, parents and spouses of people struggling with addictions.

Matt’s exploration of his addictions in this film comes at a time when he and Busted are preparing for their reunion tour, an environment that in the past has put him at risk of relapse. Can he get himself to a place where he feels comfortable and confident going on tour, and remain clean and sober? And through looking into the various possible reasons for his addictions, as well as some of the methods available to help ease them, can he help himself and others find peace in their daily battle with addiction?

Production & Filming Details

  • Narrator(s):
  • Director(s):
  • Producer(s):
  • Writer(s):
  • Music:
  • Cinematography:
  • Editor(s):
  • Production:
  • Distributor(s):
    • BBC One and BBC iPlayer
  • Release Date: 17 May 2023.
  • Running Time: 59 minutes.
  • Rating: Unknown.
  • Country: UK.
  • Language: English.

The Consultant (2022)

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Introduction

The Consultant is a thriller TV series by director Ignacio Maiso.

Outline

A psychiatrist relives all of his past fears with the arrival of three new patients.

Cast

  • John-Christian Bateman … David
  • Rebecca Calienda … Sharon
  • Katie Dalton … Kate
  • Gareth Lawrence … Mike
  • Alex Reece … John
  • David Stock … John
  • Sindri Swan … Delivery guy

Production & Filming Details

  • Director(s):
    • Ignacio Maiso
  • Producer(s):
    • Agustin Maiso … executive producer
    • Ignacio Maiso … executive producer
    • Danny Mounsey … producer
    • David Stock … associate producer
  • Writer(s):
    • Ignacio Maiso
  • Music:
    • Ben Cook
  • Cinematography:
    • Milos Moore
  • Editor(s):
    • Chiraag Patel
  • Production:
    • Tractorni Productions
  • Distributor(s):
  • Release Date: 26 October 2022 (Internet).
  • Running Time: 97 minutes.
  • Rating: Unknown.
  • Country: UK.
  • Language: English.

Currently unavailable.

How Mad Are You? (2008): Part 02

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Introduction

“How Mad Are You?” is a two-part 2008 BBC Horizon/Discovery Channel Co-Production produced and directed by Rob Liddell.

Part of the BBC’s Horizon documentary series.

The programme was recreated in 2018 by SBS for Australian TV.

UK Version (BBC)
Australian Version (SBS)

Outline (UK Version)

Ten Britons spend a week together. Five have a history of mental illness. Five do not. The question is – Who’s Who?

The programme explores the relationship between character traits and mental illness and considers the social implications of inaccurate diagnosis of the latter. Ten volunteers, five of whom have been previously diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, are observed and interviewed by a panel of three mental health experts who then venture their diagnoses. The experts include a psychiatrist, a professor of clinical psychology, and a psychiatric nurse. The volunteers and experts have no prior knowledge about one another, and were brought together for this one week study.

The program was inspired by the 1972 “Rosenhan Experiment,” in which the American psychologist David Rosenhan and several associates feigned auditory hallucinations in order to have themselves admitted to psychiatric hospitals. Eight of these “pseudopatients” were diagnosed with psychiatric disorders. Although they ceased displaying any symptoms once admitted to a hospital, they were detained for between 17 and 52 days. None were recognised by hospital staff. The experiment’s results, published in Science in 1973,1 raised questions about the validity of psychiatric diagnosis.

You can read an in-depth overview of the programme by Yusef Progler in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences.

Part 02

Second part of the special documentary considering where the line between sanity and madness lies as ten volunteers come together for an extraordinary test.

With five ‘normal’ volunteers and five who have been officially diagnosed as mentally ill, Horizon asks if you can tell who is who.

Part 01 here.

Outline (Australian Version)

Recreates the BBC UK version.

New two-part SBS documentary series How ‘Mad’ Are You? addresses mental illness in a way never seen before on Australian television. Ten Australians, from all backgrounds and ages spend a week together. Five have a history of mental illness. Five do not. Who is who?

  • This ground breaking two-part series will address the issue of mental illness in a way never seen before on Australian television.
  • Around one in five Australians experience mental illness every year. Despite the scale of the problem – the stigma remains.
  • Ten Australians with diverse backgrounds and from right across the country, have all agreed to take part in a bold and daring study in the hope of breaking down this stigma.
  • Five of them have been diagnosed as being mentally unwell, five have not; the question is – Who’s Who?
  • Over the next week, they will take part in a series of specially designed tests.
  • The group will be under the gaze of experts who face the daunting task of working out who has been diagnosed as mentally ill and who has not.
  • The experts are putting their professional reputations on the line, and the ten risk being labelled with a mental illness they don’t have. It is all in the name of breaking down stigma and exploring where the fine line between being ‘well’ and ‘mentally ill’ lies.
  • Each episode delves into the relationship between character traits and mental illness, and considers the social implications arising from the diagnosis of mental illness.
  • The series will explore major disorders including Clinical Depression, Social Anxiety Disorder, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Anorexia Nervosa.
  • The question of who is ‘mad’ and who is not goes to the core of how we see ourselves, and how we see others in Australia today.
  • Crucially the volunteers who take part are ultimately living proof that a history of mental illness does not have to define you or make you ‘other’ in today’s society.

Production & Filming Details

  • Narrator(s):
    • Judy Davis.
    • Paul McGann
  • Director(s):
    • Naomi Elkin-Jones … (2 episodes, 2018)
    • David Grusovin … (2 episodes, 2018)
    • Rob Liddell
  • Producer(s):
    • Darren Dale … producer (2 episodes, 2018)
    • Jacob Hickey … series producer (2 episodes, 2018)
    • Agnes Teek … story producer (2 episodes, 2018)
    • Rob Liddell
  • Writer(s):
    • Jacob Hickey … (2 episodes, 2018)
  • Music:
    • Angela Little … (2 episodes, 2018)
  • Cinematography:
    • Justin Brickle … (2 episodes, 2018)
    • Marden Dean … (2 episodes, 2018)
    • Daniel Gallagher … (2 episodes, 2018)
  • Editor(s):
    • Mark Atkin … (2 episodes, 2018)
  • Production:
    • Blackfella Films
  • Distributor(s):
    • BBC.
    • SBS.
  • Release Date:
    • UK: 11 and 18 November 2008.
    • Australia: 11 and 18 October 2018.
  • Running Time: 2 x 50 minutes.
  • Rating: Unknown.
  • Country: UK.
  • Language: English.

How Mad Are You? (2008): Part 01

Published on by Andrew Marshall1 Comment

Introduction

“How Mad Are You?” is a two-part 2008 BBC Horizon/Discovery Channel Co-Production produced and directed by Rob Liddell.

Part of the BBC’s Horizon documentary series.

The programme was recreated in 2018 by SBS for Australian TV.

UK Version (BBC)
Australian Version (SBS)

Outline (UK Version)

Ten Britons spend a week together. Five have a history of mental illness. Five do not. The question is – Who’s Who?

The programme explores the relationship between character traits and mental illness and considers the social implications of inaccurate diagnosis of the latter. Ten volunteers, five of whom have been previously diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, are observed and interviewed by a panel of three mental health experts who then venture their diagnoses. The experts include a psychiatrist, a professor of clinical psychology, and a psychiatric nurse. The volunteers and experts have no prior knowledge about one another, and were brought together for this one week study.

The program was inspired by the 1972 “Rosenhan Experiment,” in which the American psychologist David Rosenhan and several associates feigned auditory hallucinations in order to have themselves admitted to psychiatric hospitals. Eight of these “pseudopatients” were diagnosed with psychiatric disorders. Although they ceased displaying any symptoms once admitted to a hospital, they were detained for between 17 and 52 days. None were recognised by hospital staff. The experiment’s results, published in Science in 1973,1 raised questions about the validity of psychiatric diagnosis.

You can read an in-depth overview of the programme by Yusef Progler in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences.

Part 01

First of a two-part special. Ten volunteers have come together for an extraordinary test. Five are ‘normal’ and the other five have been officially diagnosed as mentally ill. Horizon asks if you can tell who is who, and considers where the line between sanity and madness lies.

Part 02 here.

Outline (Australian Version)

Recreates the BBC UK version.

New two-part SBS documentary series How ‘Mad’ Are You? addresses mental illness in a way never seen before on Australian television. Ten Australians, from all backgrounds and ages spend a week together. Five have a history of mental illness. Five do not. Who is who?

  • This ground breaking two-part series will address the issue of mental illness in a way never seen before on Australian television.
  • Around one in five Australians experience mental illness every year. Despite the scale of the problem – the stigma remains.
  • Ten Australians with diverse backgrounds and from right across the country, have all agreed to take part in a bold and daring study in the hope of breaking down this stigma.
  • Five of them have been diagnosed as being mentally unwell, five have not; the question is – Who’s Who?
  • Over the next week, they will take part in a series of specially designed tests.
  • The group will be under the gaze of experts who face the daunting task of working out who has been diagnosed as mentally ill and who has not.
  • The experts are putting their professional reputations on the line, and the ten risk being labelled with a mental illness they don’t have. It is all in the name of breaking down stigma and exploring where the fine line between being ‘well’ and ‘mentally ill’ lies.
  • Each episode delves into the relationship between character traits and mental illness, and considers the social implications arising from the diagnosis of mental illness.
  • The series will explore major disorders including Clinical Depression, Social Anxiety Disorder, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Anorexia Nervosa.
  • The question of who is ‘mad’ and who is not goes to the core of how we see ourselves, and how we see others in Australia today.
  • Crucially the volunteers who take part are ultimately living proof that a history of mental illness does not have to define you or make you ‘other’ in today’s society.

Production & Filming Details

  • Narrator(s):
    • Judy Davis.
    • Paul McGann
  • Director(s):
    • Naomi Elkin-Jones … (2 episodes, 2018)
    • David Grusovin … (2 episodes, 2018)
    • Rob Liddell
  • Producer(s):
    • Darren Dale … producer (2 episodes, 2018)
    • Jacob Hickey … series producer (2 episodes, 2018)
    • Agnes Teek … story producer (2 episodes, 2018)
    • Rob Liddell
  • Writer(s):
    • Jacob Hickey … (2 episodes, 2018)
  • Music:
    • Angela Little … (2 episodes, 2018)
  • Cinematography:
    • Justin Brickle … (2 episodes, 2018)
    • Marden Dean … (2 episodes, 2018)
    • Daniel Gallagher … (2 episodes, 2018)
  • Editor(s):
    • Mark Atkin … (2 episodes, 2018)
  • Production:
    • Blackfella Films
  • Distributor(s):
    • BBC.
    • SBS.
  • Release Date:
    • UK: 11 and 18 November 2008.
    • Australia: 11 and 18 October 2018.
  • Running Time: 2 x 50 minutes.
  • Rating: Unknown.
  • Country: UK.
  • Language: English.

Just Like You: Anxiety + Depression (2023)

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Introduction

Follows the stories of various people as they tackle the fear and stigma plaguing the mental health community.

Outline

10 brave kids, 2 Emmy award winning journalists, 1 clinical psychologist at Columbia University and 1 determined mother take on the fear and stigma plaguing the mental health community.

Production & Filming Details

  • Director(s):
    • Jennifer Greenstreet
  • Producer(s):
    • Karen Arkin … executive producer
    • Jennifer Greenstreet … executive producer
    • Mauria Stonestreet … producer
    • Chad Swenson … producer
  • Writer(s):
    • Jennifer Greenstreet
  • Music:
  • Cinematography:
  • Editor(s):
    • Hugh Ormond
  • Production:
    • Just Like You Films
  • Distributor(s):
    • Gravitas Ventures (world-wide)
  • Release Date: 08 March 2022 (internet).
  • Running Time: 77 minutes.
  • Rating: Not Rated.
  • Country: UK.
  • Language: English.

RTE Investigates: Ireland’s Unregulated Psychologists

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Introduction

RTÉ Investigates the lack of regulation of psychologists in the private sector where families of young children are forced to seek help because of long public waiting lists.

Outline

Reporter Barry O’Kelly shows how easy it is to call yourself a psychologist in Ireland today.

You can read comments made by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) here (PDF, external link) regarding the programme.

Production & Filming Details

  • Director(s):
  • Producer(s):
  • Writer(s):
  • Music:
  • Cinematography:
  • Editor(s):
    • Hugh Ormond
  • Production:
    • RTE
  • Distributor(s):
    • RTE One
  • Release Date: 06 March 2023 (Ireland).
  • Running Time: 41 minutes.
  • Rating: Unknown.
  • Country: UK.
  • Language: English.

Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness (2022): Part 02

Published on by Andrew Marshall1 Comment

Introduction

A documentary about the mental health crisis among youth in America.

Outline (General)

Mental illness is one of the most significant health crises in the world – as pervasive as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease – but it often exists in secret and is endured in isolation. It is the place where sadness leaves off, and depression begins; where nervousness becomes anxiety; excitement becomes mania, and habit becomes addiction. It’s the place where simply living becomes painful.

It affects all ages, in families both rich and poor, healthy and dysfunctional. Trauma can be the trigger – from personal crises such as divorce and neglect to environmental disasters, racial injustice, and pandemics. Over time, the symptoms can progress, and lead to increasingly extreme behaviours – like eating disorders, self-harm, and thoughts of suicide.

The issues surrounding mental illness are extraordinarily complex. The risk factors are daunting, the economics bewildering, and the politics contentious. But the most important step – and often the most difficult one – is to start talking about it. Hiding in Plain Sight will bring that conversation into homes, schools, the workplace, and community organisations across the country.

The two-part, four-hour film follows the journeys of more than 20 young Americans from all over the country and all walks of life, who have struggled with thoughts and feelings that have troubled – and, at times – overwhelmed them. They share what they have learned about themselves, their families, and the world in which they live. Through first-person accounts, the film presents an unstinting look at both the seemingly insurmountable obstacles faced by those who live with mental disorders and the hope that many have found after that storm. In the process, they will directly confront the issues of stigma, discrimination, awareness, and silence, and, in doing so, support the ongoing shift in the public perception of mental illness today.

Outline (Part 02)

Our “heroes” speak about finding help and inpatient and/or outpatient treatment. It also explores the criminalization of mental illness, tragedy of youth suicide, and “double stigma” that occurs when mental illness is combined with racial or gender discrimination. Throughout, the interviewees demonstrate the power of resiliency and hope.

Part 01 here.

Production & Filming Details

  • Director(s):
    • Christopher Loren Ewers.
    • Erik Ewers.
  • Producer(s):
    • Ken Burns … executive producer.
    • Julie Coffman … producer.
    • Christopher Loren Ewers … co-producer.
    • Susan Shumaker … co-producer.
    • Erik Ewers … co-producer.
    • Christopher Loren Ewers … co-producer.
    • David Blistein … co-producer.
    • John F. Wilson … executive producer: WETA.
    • Tom Chiodo … executive producer: WETA.
  • Writer(s):
    • David Blistein.
  • Music:
    • David Cieri.
  • Cinematography:
    • Christopher Loren Ewers … director of photography.
  • Editor(s):
  • Production:
    • Florentine Films.
    • Ewers Brothers Productions.
    • WETA Washington D.C.
  • Distributor(s):
  • Release Date: 27 June 2022 to 29 June 2022.
  • Running Time: 60 minutes.
  • Rating: Unknown.
  • Country: US.
  • Language: English.

Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness (2022): Part 01

Published on by Andrew Marshall1 Comment

Introduction

A documentary about the mental health crisis among youth in America.

Outline (General)

Mental illness is one of the most significant health crises in the world – as pervasive as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease – but it often exists in secret and is endured in isolation. It is the place where sadness leaves off, and depression begins; where nervousness becomes anxiety; excitement becomes mania, and habit becomes addiction. It’s the place where simply living becomes painful.

It affects all ages, in families both rich and poor, healthy and dysfunctional. Trauma can be the trigger – from personal crises such as divorce and neglect to environmental disasters, racial injustice, and pandemics. Over time, the symptoms can progress, and lead to increasingly extreme behaviours – like eating disorders, self-harm, and thoughts of suicide.

The issues surrounding mental illness are extraordinarily complex. The risk factors are daunting, the economics bewildering, and the politics contentious. But the most important step – and often the most difficult one – is to start talking about it. Hiding in Plain Sight will bring that conversation into homes, schools, the workplace, and community organisations across the country.

The two-part, four-hour film follows the journeys of more than 20 young Americans from all over the country and all walks of life, who have struggled with thoughts and feelings that have troubled – and, at times – overwhelmed them. They share what they have learned about themselves, their families, and the world in which they live. Through first-person accounts, the film presents an unstinting look at both the seemingly insurmountable obstacles faced by those who live with mental disorders and the hope that many have found after that storm. In the process, they will directly confront the issues of stigma, discrimination, awareness, and silence, and, in doing so, support the ongoing shift in the public perception of mental illness today.

Outline (Part 01)

Focuses on more than twenty young people who provide an intimate look at what it’s like to experience the symptoms of mental illness, from depression to addiction to suicide ideation. The film includes insights from families, providers, and advocates and explores the impact of childhood trauma, stigma, and social media.

Part 02 here.

Production & Filming Details

  • Director(s):
    • Christopher Loren Ewers.
    • Erik Ewers.
  • Producer(s):
    • Ken Burns … executive producer.
    • Julie Coffman … producer.
    • Christopher Loren Ewers … co-producer.
    • Susan Shumaker … co-producer.
    • Erik Ewers … co-producer.
    • Christopher Loren Ewers … co-producer.
    • David Blistein … co-producer.
    • John F. Wilson … executive producer: WETA.
    • Tom Chiodo … executive producer: WETA.
  • Writer(s):
    • David Blistein.
  • Music:
    • David Cieri.
  • Cinematography:
    • Christopher Loren Ewers … director of photography.
  • Editor(s):
  • Production:
    • Florentine Films.
    • Ewers Brothers Productions.
    • WETA Washington D.C.
  • Distributor(s):
  • Release Date: 27 June 2022 to 29 June 2022.
  • Running Time: 60 minutes.
  • Rating: Unknown.
  • Country: US.
  • Language: English.