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<v Speaker 1>Hudson River Radio dot com. It beats listening to nothing.

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<v Speaker 2>My goodness, it's.

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<v Speaker 3>Being Frank.

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<v Speaker 2>Fright were the only way to be is Frank. Hello everyone,

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<v Speaker 2>and welcome to Being Frank, where the only way to

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<v Speaker 2>be is well Frank. I'm your host, Frank Lebono, and

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<v Speaker 2>I'd like to thank you for joining us on what

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<v Speaker 2>we like to call the Intelligent Conversation Podcast, where no

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<v Speaker 2>conversations out of bounds and all points of view are welcome.

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<v Speaker 2>Regular listeners to our program know that we record live

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<v Speaker 2>to tape and I give you the date it is

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<v Speaker 2>the twenty first of January. That gives you a little

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<v Speaker 2>context and relevance. And we see the images almost every

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<v Speaker 2>day an obviously deranged person committing an act of disturbing

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<v Speaker 2>and random violence. In fact, I just saw such a

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<v Speaker 2>report on the TV news this morning, and they seem

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<v Speaker 2>to be unfortunately increasing in violence. Also important to make

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<v Speaker 2>this point here that although most don't resort to extreme violence,

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<v Speaker 2>it is still widely estimated that fourteen million Americans suffer

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<v Speaker 2>from a serious mental health disorder. We repeatedly claim this

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<v Speaker 2>issue is one of the driving forces behind many of

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<v Speaker 2>society's problems today, and we need more mental health access

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<v Speaker 2>for everyone, but nothing seems to be getting done to

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<v Speaker 2>improve the situation. It appears that we would rather not

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<v Speaker 2>deal with the reality that mental illness plays in the

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<v Speaker 2>lives of so many American families. That is until filmmaker

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<v Speaker 2>Gail Friedman made No One Cares About Crazy People, a

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<v Speaker 2>powerful and deeply human documentary that confronts one of the

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<v Speaker 2>most urgent, yet overlooked crises of our time, the reality

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<v Speaker 2>of living with severe mental illness in America. At its core,

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<v Speaker 2>as a moving portrait of families navigating unimaginable challenges as

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<v Speaker 2>they fight for care, dignity, and understanding. Through fearless storytelling

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<v Speaker 2>and remarkable access, the film illuminates the lives of individuals

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<v Speaker 2>too often ignored or misunderstood, offering a rare combination of

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<v Speaker 2>artific integrity, emotional depth, and social urgency. Critically insightful and

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<v Speaker 2>deeply compassionate, No One Cares About Crazy People invites viewers

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<v Speaker 2>to reckon with stigma, confront structural failures, and reimagine what

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<v Speaker 2>a human mental health system could look like. Bold, timely,

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<v Speaker 2>and unforgettable, it stands as a testament to the power

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<v Speaker 2>of a documentary film to illuminate, challenge and inspire change.

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<v Speaker 2>I took that, by the way, from the press kit

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<v Speaker 2>for the film, so very well written. The film is

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<v Speaker 2>being presented by a Rivertown Film at the Niac Center

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<v Speaker 2>on Wednesday, January twenty eighth at eight pm. There will

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<v Speaker 2>be a discussion to follow with our guests, who we

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<v Speaker 2>will meet shortly. Is also being brought in addition to

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<v Speaker 2>Rivertown Film and the Nyack Center by the Greater Mental

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<v Speaker 2>Health of New York and joining us now for some

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<v Speaker 2>intelligent conversation are three wonderful representatives from each and again

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<v Speaker 2>please take note these are very abbreviated bios just to

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<v Speaker 2>save some time. So first up as producer, writer, director

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<v Speaker 2>of the film, Gail Friedman, a one time expiring concert pianist,

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<v Speaker 2>Gail abandoned the stage for the screen many years ago,

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<v Speaker 2>with brief stops in academia, government and healthcare along the way.

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<v Speaker 2>It hasn't exactly been a planned migration, but in twenty

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<v Speaker 2>five years and as Award Women went on excuse me.

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<v Speaker 2>An award winning filmmaker. She has produced, directed, and written

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<v Speaker 2>dozens of documentaries on a wide range of subjects. She

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<v Speaker 2>has also taught at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

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<v Speaker 2>Her creative output encompasses independent projects as well as extensive

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<v Speaker 2>work for PBS network, television, cable syndication, and the Internet,

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<v Speaker 2>along with educational and nonprofit films. Welcome Gail, thank you. Okay,

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<v Speaker 2>we'll continue with our panels and then we'll get into

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<v Speaker 2>our discussion. Next up. Alissa Schmidt is a licensed mental

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<v Speaker 2>health counselor in the state of New York. For the

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<v Speaker 2>last thirteen years, she has been working at Greater Mental

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<v Speaker 2>Health of New York, a not for profit organization providing

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<v Speaker 2>an array of mental health, substance use, case management, and

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<v Speaker 2>other support services to individuals in Rockland and Westchester Counties.

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<v Speaker 2>As Vice President of Mobile Support Services, Alissa oversees several

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<v Speaker 2>programs designed to meet individuals where they are at. These

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<v Speaker 2>services work with individuals in the community, in their homes

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<v Speaker 2>wherever they spend their time to recover their goals. Alissa,

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<v Speaker 2>thank you so much for joining us. Hither okay. Next

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<v Speaker 2>up from Rivertown and one of the hosts of the

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<v Speaker 2>movie is Verra Erno Vera is an award winning documentary

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<v Speaker 2>filmmaker who began her career work on Joseph Campbell and

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<v Speaker 2>The Power of Myth with Bill Moyers for PBS. She's

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<v Speaker 2>also known in Rockland County for her work on Mega Mall,

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<v Speaker 2>the feature documentary film that tells the story of Rockland's

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<v Speaker 2>Palisades Center Mall. She co produced Backpack Full of Cash,

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<v Speaker 2>The Real Cost at Privatizing America's Public Schools, narrated by

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<v Speaker 2>Matt Damon, and is currently developing a follow up film

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<v Speaker 2>on the subject of school vouchers. In twenty seventeen, Narroneau

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<v Speaker 2>joined the board of Rivertown Film, Rockland's only not for

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<v Speaker 2>profit dedicated to the art of motion pictures, and in

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<v Speaker 2>twenty twenty six she became the organization's co executive director.

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<v Speaker 2>Welcome Verra, Thank you, Welcome ladies, Thank you so much.

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<v Speaker 2>I know it's a busy time for you organizing the film,

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<v Speaker 2>and obviously you all have other projects going on as well,

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<v Speaker 2>so I really appreciate you taking the time. You know,

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<v Speaker 2>maybe we should start with kind of a broad thing

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<v Speaker 2>and then will narrow down our questioning. So let's start

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<v Speaker 2>with you, Gail, please, if you would, and I gave

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<v Speaker 2>a brief introduction, but give us a little bit more detail,

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<v Speaker 2>give us a synopsis of the film what will We Say?

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<v Speaker 4>Well, the film kind of had a three pronged origin,

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<v Speaker 4>which speaks to how it evolved. It was inspired by

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<v Speaker 4>a book of the same name, No One Cares About

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<v Speaker 4>Crazy People, by an extraordinary author named Ron Powers. If

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<v Speaker 4>your viewers are and your listeners are interested in the subject,

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<v Speaker 4>I highly recommend Ron's book. It's brilliant. And Ron is

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<v Speaker 4>a Pulitzer Emmy winning New York Times best selling writer.

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<v Speaker 4>This was not a subject he ever expected to tackle

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<v Speaker 4>until both of his sons were diagnosed with schizophrenia, and

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<v Speaker 4>his younger son, who was a musical prodigy, took his

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<v Speaker 4>own life a week before his twenty first birthday in

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<v Speaker 4>the family home. And so Ron, having never really expected

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<v Speaker 4>to write about this subject some years later, felt compelled

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<v Speaker 4>to tackle it. And the book is a kind of

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<v Speaker 4>a hybrid narrative of family memoir and deeply researched reportage

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<v Speaker 4>about the mental health system or non system, going back

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<v Speaker 4>centuries really, but particularly looking at the last fifty sixty

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<v Speaker 4>years in American life. So and I knew Ron when

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<v Speaker 4>I was a baby in the business at CBS News

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<v Speaker 4>many years ago, and Ron was already a well established

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<v Speaker 4>journalist and author. We met and became friends, and then

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<v Speaker 4>he and his family moved off to Vermont and we

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<v Speaker 4>had lost touch over the years, and then I came

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<v Speaker 4>across his book and did not know what had happened

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<v Speaker 4>to his family and could immediately see that there was

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<v Speaker 4>sort of the spine of film there and so that

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<v Speaker 4>was the first impetus for doing this. Also, early in

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<v Speaker 4>my career, i'd been a medical reporter, so I always

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<v Speaker 4>say that I know just enough to be every doctor's nightmare.

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<v Speaker 4>So that was something else that I brought to the table.

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<v Speaker 4>And my own mother lived with borderline personality disorder, so

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<v Speaker 4>like so many people who are in this space, I

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<v Speaker 4>brought that lived experience to it. So it was kind

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<v Speaker 4>of the perfect storm, if you will. And so that's

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<v Speaker 4>where it began with Ron's family story and the kind

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<v Speaker 4>of the sociological work behind it. But then as I

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<v Speaker 4>dug in, I became really interested in the whole dynamic

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<v Speaker 4>of family involvement, because mental illness is a full family disorder,

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<v Speaker 4>as we often say, so that began to really interest me.

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<v Speaker 4>And there's been the emerging of a family advocacy movement,

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<v Speaker 4>which it took five years to make this film, and

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<v Speaker 4>over that time, this family movement was really sort of

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<v Speaker 4>gaining momentum and breaking through in many ways and leading

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<v Speaker 4>to you said that nothing that things have only seemed

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<v Speaker 4>to get worse, But in point of fact, there is

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<v Speaker 4>a lot of movement to make things better. And so

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<v Speaker 4>we tracked a lot of particularly in California, although the

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<v Speaker 4>movement is across the country, but we did a lot

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<v Speaker 4>of our attention was focused in California, both because we

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<v Speaker 4>had a couple of personal stories that we were following

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<v Speaker 4>in real time there, and also because this movement was

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<v Speaker 4>in many ways that its greatest devolution to date there,

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<v Speaker 4>and so I think I think we're so it was

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<v Speaker 4>kind of a dual endeavor. I wanted to really put

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<v Speaker 4>a very human face on the reality of serious mental illness.

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<v Speaker 4>I think so many of us you mentioned walking out

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<v Speaker 4>on seeing deranged people, you know, depending particularly in New York,

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<v Speaker 4>if you're on the subways, on the.

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<v Speaker 2>Streets, the image that we seems to be most common.

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<v Speaker 2>Then again, associated I'm going to bring a lesson in

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<v Speaker 2>and talk more about that it means interrupt but again

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<v Speaker 2>that unfortunately that's the image that we.

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<v Speaker 4>Have, but we need to look past that image, and

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<v Speaker 4>we're going to get that. And I think making this

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<v Speaker 4>film changed me and the way I see people, and

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<v Speaker 4>I hope that, in point of fact, that we can

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<v Speaker 4>try to do that for others as well. So I wanted,

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<v Speaker 4>on the one hand, to humanize people and in their

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<v Speaker 4>own voices and center them in their own stories, but

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<v Speaker 4>also wanted to have alongside this intimacy and this very

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<v Speaker 4>personal narrative something that was systemic, something that really looked

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<v Speaker 4>at why are these systems so broken? How did we

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<v Speaker 4>get to this point, and what is the way forward?

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<v Speaker 4>Because I wanted I wanted to end on a note

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<v Speaker 4>of hope. I didn't want to just end on a

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<v Speaker 4>note of doom and gloom. So that, in a nutshell,

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<v Speaker 4>was kind of what I was aiming at. That answers

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<v Speaker 4>your question.

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<v Speaker 2>It certainly does, and we're going to develop that as

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<v Speaker 2>we go further. I want to talk and obviously some

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<v Speaker 2>of the challenges associated with telling such an intimate and

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<v Speaker 2>personal story, but I think it's a good time to

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<v Speaker 2>bring in a listen. Now some of the things that

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<v Speaker 2>we've covered in the names we mentioned, for example, the

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<v Speaker 2>stigma that's often associated with mental illness, the image that

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<v Speaker 2>again we were talking about that seems to be foremost

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<v Speaker 2>in people's minds instead of the reality. So let's bring

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<v Speaker 2>you in again. What is the definition of mental illness?

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<v Speaker 2>You know, there's a depression, and everybody experiences depression, and

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<v Speaker 2>I think people unders have to understand part of the

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<v Speaker 2>human experience is is that okay? But that doesn't necessarily

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<v Speaker 2>define it as mental illness. So in your world from

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<v Speaker 2>great mental health, how would we define something as, especially

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<v Speaker 2>something like when we're talking about severe mental illness?

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<v Speaker 5>Sure, absolutely so mental illness.

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<v Speaker 6>I mean, as you mentioned, it is a spectrum, right,

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<v Speaker 6>So even folks that carry those diagnoses of schizophrenia, schizoepfective

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<v Speaker 6>disorder up until your anxiety and your depression, which are

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<v Speaker 6>much more sort of common or you know daily, Right,

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<v Speaker 6>everybody's going to fall somewhere along the severity of those.

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<v Speaker 6>So we have folks who are severely anxious, and we

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<v Speaker 6>have folks who get by on a daily basis with mild, moderate,

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<v Speaker 6>or no treatment whatsoever. The same goes for our folks

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<v Speaker 6>with anything from dipolar disorder to schizophrenia. Right, everybody's in

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<v Speaker 6>their own unique experiences and they're having their own their

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<v Speaker 6>own reality in what they're experiencing considering their mental illness. Now,

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<v Speaker 6>if you want to go buy the book diagnostically, you

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<v Speaker 6>have to meet certain criteria to come eligible to carry

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<v Speaker 6>this label that we call it, right, this diagnosis of

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<v Speaker 6>any of those disorders that I mentioned before. But again,

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<v Speaker 6>I really want to hammer in the point that there's

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<v Speaker 6>such an array of experiences that this by and large,

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<v Speaker 6>this this vision that we see of the individual on

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<v Speaker 6>the street that's dangerous and really talking to themselves in

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<v Speaker 6>the corner, right, that is the minority of individuals experiencing

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<v Speaker 6>mental illness. There is so many people that you know

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<v Speaker 6>in your personal life that may be also, you know,

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<v Speaker 6>dealing with something that you have no idea about, and

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<v Speaker 6>they may be receiving their own treatment or not for

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<v Speaker 6>something that we would consider a mental illness.

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<v Speaker 2>Okay, I mentioned the word stigma, the stigma stigmatizing of

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<v Speaker 2>mental illness, and it's strange to me. First of all,

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<v Speaker 2>the overall health care you know where teeth, eyes, and

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<v Speaker 2>mental health is different than health Why that's that's topic

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<v Speaker 2>we can get to a little bit later when we

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<v Speaker 2>talk about the system. It's just odd to me, uh uh,

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<v Speaker 2>dealing with it with the stigma and overcoming that that, uh,

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<v Speaker 2>how why In other words, we wouldn't necessarily make if

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<v Speaker 2>you have kidney disease or heart disease, we've seen we

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<v Speaker 2>tend to look at it with more feet in those situations,

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<v Speaker 2>and yet lack when someone is really struggling beyond their controlers.

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<v Speaker 2>And I want people to say, you know, I think

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<v Speaker 2>people often associate it's their fault. They want to be

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<v Speaker 2>that way, and I think that's an important distinction to

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<v Speaker 2>make that they need help, and we wouldn't make We

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<v Speaker 2>don't make fun of other people that make help, that

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<v Speaker 2>need help, forgive me, Yet we stigmatize people from from

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<v Speaker 2>a mental standpoint, if they seek out help, if they

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<v Speaker 2>need help, both all of us can address that. Why

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<v Speaker 2>don't you start with us?

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<v Speaker 5>Yeah?

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<v Speaker 6>No, absolutely, I mean I think by and large, you know, Frank,

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<v Speaker 6>just to mention, I don't think there's any one of

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<v Speaker 6>us that would willingly ask to be diagnosed with schizophrenia

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<v Speaker 6>or experience the signs and symptoms that come with bipolar disorder.

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<v Speaker 5>Right.

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<v Speaker 6>So, one of those things that I hear all the

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<v Speaker 6>time is why can't they just fix themselves or you know,

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<v Speaker 6>just do this and they'll feel better. It's just not

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<v Speaker 6>as simple of that, and we know that those of

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<v Speaker 6>us in the field, we know that there's just an

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<v Speaker 6>incredible array of experiences and different treatments and experiences that

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<v Speaker 6>can help individuals. But I I think the stigma goes

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<v Speaker 6>a really long way back. Not to get too clinical here,

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<v Speaker 6>but we can go back to the witching ages where

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<v Speaker 6>women with hysterica hysteria excuse me, we're looked at with

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<v Speaker 6>with you know, really critical eyes and we're locked up

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<v Speaker 6>and you know, maybe even burned at the stake. These

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<v Speaker 6>are medical diagnoses. These are issues with brain chemistry. These

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<v Speaker 6>are chemistry in our body going on that are affecting

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<v Speaker 6>individuals in their day to day lifestyles, and we just

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<v Speaker 6>continue to look at it as something completely separate from

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<v Speaker 6>like we would you know, mentioned diabetes or kidney disease.

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<v Speaker 6>Like you said, I do think a large part of

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<v Speaker 6>that also plays into the media or portrayal that we

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<v Speaker 6>have shown individuals with mental illness and how we have

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<v Speaker 6>shown the communities and society what that looks like, at

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<v Speaker 6>least through this particular lens. But we really are working

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<v Speaker 6>to move that needle, as Gail was saying earlier, to

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<v Speaker 6>really you know, make the progress look at whole person care.

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<v Speaker 6>If somebody's experiencing mental illness, what are the chances that

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<v Speaker 6>we can treat it very similarly or look at it

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<v Speaker 6>through the same holistic lens as we would as somebody

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<v Speaker 6>with a medical issue.

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<v Speaker 2>And you mentioned the lens of bring Viera in a

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<v Speaker 2>little bit and see what role organizations like Rivertown play

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<v Speaker 2>in disseminating that information. But I also want to get

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<v Speaker 2>Gail back in here too. As a filmmaker, how did

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<v Speaker 2>you deal with with with that as an issue, what

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<v Speaker 2>Elyssa was just talking about, and as we met the stigma,

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<v Speaker 2>the need to find health. Where as a filmmaker, how

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<v Speaker 2>did you deal with that?

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<v Speaker 4>One thing I'd say, because that just circles back to

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<v Speaker 4>something you mentioned before. Mental health care is healthcare, and

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<v Speaker 4>I think we need to make sure that people understand

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<v Speaker 4>that because a lot of times not to be a

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<v Speaker 4>total policy geek, but you know, there is not equity,

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<v Speaker 4>there's not parody people. And I think calling it behavioral

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<v Speaker 4>health sometimes can be counterproductive because it sort of reinforces

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<v Speaker 4>that notion that it's willful and that people have the

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<v Speaker 4>power to just you know, vanquish their own disorder, and

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<v Speaker 4>you know, and I think that a lot of the stigma,

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<v Speaker 4>as Alyssa was just saying, goes back centuries and is

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<v Speaker 4>based in fear in large part, and what people fear

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<v Speaker 4>and they don't understand, they tend to look away from.

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<v Speaker 4>They'd rather ignore it. The title no One Cares About

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<v Speaker 4>Crazy People, as we explained in the first minute of

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<v Speaker 4>the film, is a quote from a politician who was

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<v Speaker 4>addressing a scandalous situation in his own community and basically

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<v Speaker 4>was saying to the boss, who was worried about electoral kickback,

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<v Speaker 4>don't worry about it, because no one cares about crazy people.

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<v Speaker 4>And so our mission was both to show that a

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<v Speaker 4>lot of people do care, in point of fact, that

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<v Speaker 4>that's not correct to say no one cares. A lot

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<v Speaker 4>of people do care, and that we all can care understand.

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<v Speaker 4>Care begins with understanding. Changing the system begins with understanding.

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<v Speaker 4>And so my mission was again to try to get

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<v Speaker 4>as much access as I could and to show a

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<v Speaker 4>small series of compelling, intimate stories where you felt like

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<v Speaker 4>you got to know people who are living, who are

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<v Speaker 4>struggling with these disorders that they didn't ask for, and

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<v Speaker 4>to see them in their full humanity, so that your

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<v Speaker 4>empathy was aroused instead of judgment or derision or any

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<v Speaker 4>of the other patapley of reactions that one might have.

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<v Speaker 4>And so that's what we did. We followed a small

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<v Speaker 4>sample of individuals and families around the country over several

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<v Speaker 4>years as their stories were unfolding, not knowing where that

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<v Speaker 4>was going to go in each case. And much of

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<v Speaker 4>Ron Power's family story is in the past, but that's

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<v Speaker 4>also told in the film. And we spent a lot

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<v Speaker 4>of time and people said, was that uncomfortable? Did you

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<v Speaker 4>encounter hostility?

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<v Speaker 3>No?

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<v Speaker 4>It wasn't uncomfortable. It was intense, it was powerful. It

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<v Speaker 4>was moving for me too, But I felt honored and privileged.

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<v Speaker 4>First of all, the people wanted to tell their stories,

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<v Speaker 4>and you know, I think most of us want to

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<v Speaker 4>be seen, we want to be heard, we want the

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<v Speaker 4>chance to be evaluated on our own terms, and so

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<v Speaker 4>I was gratified that people wanted to do that, and

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<v Speaker 4>I was consistently blown away by these family members who

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<v Speaker 4>and our film really does look at the most severe

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<v Speaker 4>end of the spectrum, and as Alyssa said, there's a

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<v Speaker 4>whole spectrum, and we're all on that spectrum somewhere. But

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<v Speaker 4>we were really looking at the most severe end of it,

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<v Speaker 4>because those people who often get short shrift. I think,

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<v Speaker 4>you know, COVID brought mental health struggles to people's awareness,

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<v Speaker 4>perhaps as nothing before, but for people with the most

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<v Speaker 4>severe disorders, they were kind of left out of the

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<v Speaker 4>mix before COVID, and to a large degree they still are.

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<v Speaker 4>So but these families don't give up, and that just

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<v Speaker 4>consistently blew me away. I don't know if I could

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<v Speaker 4>do what they do. Their love, their dedication, their grit

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<v Speaker 4>is just extraordinary, and so often they get blamed along

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<v Speaker 4>with the person who has the disorder. You'll consistently hear

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<v Speaker 4>where was the family, Why didn't they take this person?

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<v Speaker 4>Why didn't they take care of this? And then you

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<v Speaker 4>find out that a point of fact, they've been trying,

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<v Speaker 4>in many cases for years to do everything they can,

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<v Speaker 4>and the system has literally shut them out at many points. So,

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<v Speaker 4>you know, it was that making the film, it grew tentacles.

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<v Speaker 4>I never originally intended it for to have, but they

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<v Speaker 4>ended up feeling necessary if we were going to kind

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<v Speaker 4>of give a sort of a well rounded view of

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<v Speaker 4>where we are, how we got there, where can we go?

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<v Speaker 2>Of course, that brings up a lot more questions and

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<v Speaker 2>hopefully we'll get to this is great that we can

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<v Speaker 2>do a few hours, Gus, I can tell already I

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<v Speaker 2>want to bring Vera Arnow from Rivertown Film and talk

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<v Speaker 2>a little bit about First of all, give us a

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<v Speaker 2>little bit of an overview of Rivertown, what you guys

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<v Speaker 2>are about. Then from there, why films like this fit

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<v Speaker 2>with it? And forgive me a raise on detra if

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<v Speaker 2>you will put that together for us, If you would

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<v Speaker 2>first a little bit about Rivertown, and then why you

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<v Speaker 2>choose films like this and why you chose this particular

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<v Speaker 2>film for show.

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<v Speaker 3>Sure, thank you. Rivertown Film is an arts nonprofit based

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<v Speaker 3>here in Rockland County. This year we're entering our twenty

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<v Speaker 3>fifth year of existence, which is quite an accomplishment for

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<v Speaker 3>a small group like hours. And we got started two

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<v Speaker 3>thousand and one with the mission of celebrating the art

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<v Speaker 3>of motion pictures. We show about two screenings a month,

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<v Speaker 3>about twenty films a year, and they're independent, foreign or

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<v Speaker 3>documentary films, basically things you won't see at the multiplex.

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<v Speaker 3>And in each program now is a company. Each screening

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<v Speaker 3>is accompanied by some kind of Q and a after

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<v Speaker 3>the film to deepen the experience for the viewer, and

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<v Speaker 3>it's either often the filmmaker. We bring a whole array

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<v Speaker 3>of famous, not so famous, local, not so local filmmakers

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<v Speaker 3>into our community, and if that's not possible, we reach

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<v Speaker 3>out to people with an expertise in the subject matter

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<v Speaker 3>or the country where the film is from, or just

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<v Speaker 3>something too. As I said, deep in the experience of

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<v Speaker 3>the film.

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<v Speaker 2>So we have a.

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<v Speaker 3>Curious audience and audience that's curious about the world and

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<v Speaker 3>about issues issues, important issues like this one of the

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<v Speaker 3>issues of severe mental illness that lives on our streets,

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<v Speaker 3>in our lives, and this is a great opportunity to

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<v Speaker 3>have people come in share an experience of watching the film,

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<v Speaker 3>have a common base of knowledge. And then we're so

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<v Speaker 3>grateful to Alissa and Gale for being there because it

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<v Speaker 3>inevitably prompts questions both about the filmmaking process because people

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<v Speaker 3>are interested in the art and people love documentaries, and

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<v Speaker 3>also about mental illness, about their personal experience or something

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<v Speaker 3>that's happening here, or policy or all kinds of things.

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<v Speaker 3>That's why we're excited to be showing this film. It

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<v Speaker 3>came to our attention through I think someone who knows, Gail,

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<v Speaker 3>and we have a committee, a programming a committee that

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<v Speaker 3>looks at different projects and makes a schedule of different things,

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<v Speaker 3>so it's not always the same same thing we're watching,

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<v Speaker 3>and we decided it would be great to go forward

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<v Speaker 3>with us, so we're pleased to be showing it at

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<v Speaker 3>the NAIAC Center on January twenty eighth. I got that right,

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<v Speaker 3>twenty fifth, Sorry, twenty eight.

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<v Speaker 2>Yes, we have more. Yes, we're taking on Wednesday the

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<v Speaker 2>twenty first, And I always have to give the date

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<v Speaker 2>because our shows are archived and if people are watching

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<v Speaker 2>it's Wednesday the twentieth. Then we'll talk about that in

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<v Speaker 2>more detail and how people can get tickets and all

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<v Speaker 2>that stuff. We'll have time for that after the break.

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<v Speaker 2>But you know, obviously, and obviously Gail, you've seen the film. Well,

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<v Speaker 2>you guys have seen the film. I've watched some clip,

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<v Speaker 2>but I haven't seen the entire film. I'd like to

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<v Speaker 2>know how is it affected you, both personally and professionally?

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<v Speaker 2>And Lissa, why don't we start with you and do

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<v Speaker 2>a little roundtable. How did it affect you? Is both

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<v Speaker 2>in both ways to change you at all? Professionally and

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<v Speaker 2>how so personally? After Sue.

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<v Speaker 5>I mean, I think I live this.

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<v Speaker 6>I work this every day, right, coming from the mental

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<v Speaker 6>health sector, so I hear these stories. You have no

420
00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:30.960
<v Speaker 6>idea how dreaming and you know profound it can be

421
00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:32.960
<v Speaker 6>to sit with these people in front of you and

422
00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:35.599
<v Speaker 6>have them share their stories, have them share their experiences.

423
00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:38.119
<v Speaker 6>I'm sure Gail will speak about that experience just creating

424
00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:41.319
<v Speaker 6>this film. So I don't know, you know, Unfortunately, I

425
00:25:41.359 --> 00:25:43.079
<v Speaker 6>wasn't surprised or shocked by.

426
00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:45.559
<v Speaker 5>Anything that I saw in the film, right, But I

427
00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:46.599
<v Speaker 5>come from this world.

428
00:25:46.680 --> 00:25:49.240
<v Speaker 6>I think there's so many people out there that would

429
00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:52.039
<v Speaker 6>be very surprised and shocked by the content of this film.

430
00:25:52.079 --> 00:25:54.079
<v Speaker 6>And that's I think why we're really trying to put

431
00:25:54.119 --> 00:25:55.839
<v Speaker 6>it out there. And I say we like I was

432
00:25:55.880 --> 00:25:58.119
<v Speaker 6>involved in the production, but I'm sure that was part

433
00:25:58.160 --> 00:26:00.720
<v Speaker 6>of the process for Gail, right, So I don't know,

434
00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:02.960
<v Speaker 6>you know, it just it really honed in on the

435
00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:06.519
<v Speaker 6>work that I do every day, the importance of portraying

436
00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:09.960
<v Speaker 6>these individuals with these experiences in a really accurate, really

437
00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:13.839
<v Speaker 6>empathetic way. As we were kind of saying before, Personally,

438
00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:16.839
<v Speaker 6>I have my own experiences with family members and friends

439
00:26:16.839 --> 00:26:19.400
<v Speaker 6>who have their own experiences. I think at this point

440
00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:20.960
<v Speaker 6>it would be fair to say you're not going to

441
00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:23.680
<v Speaker 6>meet anybody who's not touched by someone with a mental

442
00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:26.119
<v Speaker 6>disorder in their lives. And so I think just seeing

443
00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:30.920
<v Speaker 6>the profound creation of their stories in this film just

444
00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:33.759
<v Speaker 6>really bringing it to light the importance of sort of

445
00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:36.039
<v Speaker 6>focusing on this population and how can we change what

446
00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:38.039
<v Speaker 6>we're doing and do better for those individuals.

447
00:26:39.119 --> 00:26:40.559
<v Speaker 2>I want to go to Vera next Gale. I'm going

448
00:26:40.599 --> 00:26:42.559
<v Speaker 2>to let you finish up. But I think you also

449
00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:46.240
<v Speaker 2>have a very unique perspective, as you're not a healthcare

450
00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:48.920
<v Speaker 2>professional like Welyssa. You are a filmmaker, but you didn't

451
00:26:48.920 --> 00:26:52.000
<v Speaker 2>make this film, this particular film, so I think you

452
00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:55.680
<v Speaker 2>might have a unique perspective. How did what did you

453
00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:59.480
<v Speaker 2>change or change your mind if you will, both pet

454
00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:02.920
<v Speaker 2>professional and personally in what way?

455
00:27:04.079 --> 00:27:09.559
<v Speaker 3>Well, I think it was an unusually deep opportunity to

456
00:27:10.920 --> 00:27:14.119
<v Speaker 3>live life a little bit with the families that were

457
00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:19.920
<v Speaker 3>coping with the mental illness. So I would say it

458
00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:26.759
<v Speaker 3>deepened my understanding of that, and I expect it will

459
00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:30.359
<v Speaker 3>do that for a lot of people. And it made

460
00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:39.119
<v Speaker 3>me curious about the solutions and the resources here in

461
00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:43.759
<v Speaker 3>Rockland and around the country. It made me want to

462
00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:46.720
<v Speaker 3>know more about that. So this is a perfect forum

463
00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:52.039
<v Speaker 3>to have some of those questions answered. And it seems

464
00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:53.160
<v Speaker 3>very timely.

465
00:27:54.400 --> 00:27:58.359
<v Speaker 2>Certainly, Kail, you obviously spent five years, at least five

466
00:27:58.480 --> 00:28:02.400
<v Speaker 2>years of your life intimately involved with this over the

467
00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:05.359
<v Speaker 2>course of that time, and you've mentioned you've hinted at it.

468
00:28:05.359 --> 00:28:07.880
<v Speaker 2>It gives a little more detail. How did it really

469
00:28:08.079 --> 00:28:08.640
<v Speaker 2>change you?

470
00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:14.759
<v Speaker 4>Well, I always, I mean, I think to do this

471
00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:16.720
<v Speaker 4>work you have to be pretty obsessive, compulsive.

472
00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:21.319
<v Speaker 2>So I hear you like podcasting, but I was with

473
00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:24.920
<v Speaker 2>DBS two as well. We'll talk about that later, please.

474
00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:31.119
<v Speaker 4>So you know, you've become completely immersed, and I've had

475
00:28:31.119 --> 00:28:35.319
<v Speaker 4>several people ask me was it overwhelming at times? Was

476
00:28:35.359 --> 00:28:38.160
<v Speaker 4>it so upsetting? How did you cope with that? And

477
00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:40.440
<v Speaker 4>I think in some ways it's not unlike I mean,

478
00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:43.519
<v Speaker 4>Alissa probably could speak to this too. It's not unlike

479
00:28:43.559 --> 00:28:47.279
<v Speaker 4>being a medical professional where it's not that you leave

480
00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:50.960
<v Speaker 4>your feelings at the door, but some part of you

481
00:28:51.319 --> 00:28:55.720
<v Speaker 4>goes into a zone, into a mode where you can't

482
00:28:55.720 --> 00:28:59.599
<v Speaker 4>be effective if you can't do the work. So I

483
00:29:00.079 --> 00:29:02.720
<v Speaker 4>think that Gene, if you will, which I've been doing

484
00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:06.039
<v Speaker 4>this for a long time, kind of took over. But

485
00:29:06.119 --> 00:29:10.720
<v Speaker 4>there certainly were moments and my wonderful film editor Juvia

486
00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:14.319
<v Speaker 4>knows Dina Pataki and Dina will be at the screening

487
00:29:14.519 --> 00:29:18.079
<v Speaker 4>and also in the present for the audience talk back afterwards.

488
00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:20.319
<v Speaker 4>And there were times where we were in the edit room,

489
00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:22.799
<v Speaker 4>which we were for, you know, months, at a stretch,

490
00:29:23.519 --> 00:29:27.200
<v Speaker 4>where we would watch some scene that I chot and

491
00:29:27.559 --> 00:29:30.319
<v Speaker 4>I've done the interview that we pops had watched dozens

492
00:29:30.319 --> 00:29:33.160
<v Speaker 4>of times. But it would suddenly it would get to

493
00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:36.559
<v Speaker 4>me in a certain way, and I would become overwhelmed

494
00:29:36.599 --> 00:29:40.440
<v Speaker 4>with emotion. And I never want to lose that, you know,

495
00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:43.359
<v Speaker 4>just as I think as a medical professional or a

496
00:29:43.359 --> 00:29:46.680
<v Speaker 4>social work professional or any kind of clinician, you don't

497
00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:51.240
<v Speaker 4>want to lose that human connection to the subject. So

498
00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:56.480
<v Speaker 4>I don't know that it. I think it changed my awareness.

499
00:29:56.759 --> 00:30:03.640
<v Speaker 4>I think certainly my approach and my grasp of policy

500
00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:08.200
<v Speaker 4>solutions evolved, and without getting too wonky and down in

501
00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:14.640
<v Speaker 4>the weeds. You know, I'm a left leaning progressive and

502
00:30:14.680 --> 00:30:17.519
<v Speaker 4>if you had asked me at the beginning of this

503
00:30:17.640 --> 00:30:21.799
<v Speaker 4>process if I thought there was ever a role for

504
00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:25.400
<v Speaker 4>involuntary care, I probably would have said no. Right, I

505
00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:28.759
<v Speaker 4>was a card carry member of the ACLU. I'd worked

506
00:30:28.799 --> 00:30:31.759
<v Speaker 4>on a whole documentary series years ago about people living

507
00:30:31.759 --> 00:30:36.400
<v Speaker 4>with all kinds of disabilities. But in point of fact,

508
00:30:36.599 --> 00:30:39.240
<v Speaker 4>I think that we need a much more nuanced kind

509
00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:45.680
<v Speaker 4>of conversation because sometimes there are people and it's a

510
00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:49.519
<v Speaker 4>feature of the illness. There is this unpronounceable word derived

511
00:30:49.559 --> 00:30:54.440
<v Speaker 4>from the Greek called anasygnosia, and it literally translates as

512
00:30:54.720 --> 00:30:58.039
<v Speaker 4>lack of insight. And for a small percentage it's not

513
00:30:58.119 --> 00:31:00.400
<v Speaker 4>a lot of people, but for a small percentage people

514
00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:04.440
<v Speaker 4>who live with disorders like schizophrenia, a feature of their

515
00:31:04.519 --> 00:31:07.640
<v Speaker 4>disease is that they don't know they have it. It's

516
00:31:07.640 --> 00:31:13.200
<v Speaker 4>not denial, it's not a refusal to acknowledge something. It's

517
00:31:13.279 --> 00:31:16.160
<v Speaker 4>literally a feature of the disease that they don't know

518
00:31:16.279 --> 00:31:19.839
<v Speaker 4>that they have an illness. And why would you go

519
00:31:19.920 --> 00:31:23.640
<v Speaker 4>into treatment if for something that you don't know that

520
00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:27.039
<v Speaker 4>you have, especially when the treatment is not a free ride.

521
00:31:27.359 --> 00:31:32.200
<v Speaker 4>These meds have side effects. Treatment can be traumatizing, and

522
00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:35.480
<v Speaker 4>so there are times I think when it is not

523
00:31:35.920 --> 00:31:40.480
<v Speaker 4>humane to let someone remain untreated. If you know, as

524
00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:44.599
<v Speaker 4>one of the mother advocates in the films, that what

525
00:31:44.799 --> 00:31:49.039
<v Speaker 4>is civil or right about leaving someone to starve because

526
00:31:49.079 --> 00:31:51.480
<v Speaker 4>their voices are telling them that they can't eat, or

527
00:31:51.559 --> 00:31:53.799
<v Speaker 4>to sleep in their own feces on the street, or

528
00:31:53.839 --> 00:31:56.839
<v Speaker 4>to be locked in solitary confinement because they've been arrested

529
00:31:56.880 --> 00:32:00.000
<v Speaker 4>for some crime they didn't even understand that they were committed.

530
00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:04.279
<v Speaker 4>So maybe there are times when we need just like

531
00:32:04.319 --> 00:32:07.400
<v Speaker 4>these illnesses exist on a spectrum, I think treatment needs

532
00:32:07.400 --> 00:32:11.160
<v Speaker 4>to exist on a spectrum. So my understanding about all

533
00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:14.880
<v Speaker 4>that absolutely did evolve over the course of making this film,

534
00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:19.119
<v Speaker 4>and I don't think I fully appreciated until way late

535
00:32:19.160 --> 00:32:22.400
<v Speaker 4>in the process that that was in some ways controversial,

536
00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:26.880
<v Speaker 4>and we ended up embracing that controversy and taking it

537
00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:31.279
<v Speaker 4>on and basically hoping that the film does argue for

538
00:32:31.400 --> 00:32:35.400
<v Speaker 4>a more nuanced kind of conversation and understanding that one

539
00:32:35.440 --> 00:32:39.400
<v Speaker 4>size doesn't fit all and that comes and so that's

540
00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:40.440
<v Speaker 4>the way it changed me.

541
00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:43.119
<v Speaker 2>I want to bring in Alyssa here in a minute,

542
00:32:43.119 --> 00:32:46.160
<v Speaker 2>but I also want to bring out because it's such

543
00:32:46.160 --> 00:32:48.799
<v Speaker 2>an important point. We had the mayor of Nayak, Joe

544
00:32:48.920 --> 00:32:51.119
<v Speaker 2>rand was on a few weeks ago, and that was

545
00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:53.680
<v Speaker 2>a big issue here, And you mentioned Nyak is a

546
00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:58.799
<v Speaker 2>left leaning, progressive town. Let's admit it, let's call it

547
00:32:58.839 --> 00:33:02.319
<v Speaker 2>for what it is. And xilis here because I have

548
00:33:02.559 --> 00:33:05.599
<v Speaker 2>to agree with that. And there was this huge controversy

549
00:33:05.640 --> 00:33:08.440
<v Speaker 2>because there is an issue with people on the street here,

550
00:33:08.920 --> 00:33:12.279
<v Speaker 2>most of them seem to have some type of mental issues,

551
00:33:12.640 --> 00:33:16.640
<v Speaker 2>but it's associated with homeliness. So benches were removed in

552
00:33:16.640 --> 00:33:19.279
<v Speaker 2>an effort to try to get people to take advantage

553
00:33:19.559 --> 00:33:23.279
<v Speaker 2>of the warming centers that are provided. So it became

554
00:33:23.400 --> 00:33:25.720
<v Speaker 2>and again it's a conversation. We can get to another

555
00:33:25.759 --> 00:33:29.000
<v Speaker 2>hour for another day. But I hear you so completely

556
00:33:29.119 --> 00:33:34.279
<v Speaker 2>that again, the spectrum of behavior needs a spectrum of

557
00:33:34.359 --> 00:33:37.319
<v Speaker 2>treatment to deal with it. It's kind of like not

558
00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:40.599
<v Speaker 2>one size fits all. And maybe that's a good time

559
00:33:40.640 --> 00:33:43.400
<v Speaker 2>to bring Alyssa in. Would you comment towards that. I

560
00:33:43.400 --> 00:33:44.559
<v Speaker 2>think it's all relative.

561
00:33:44.920 --> 00:33:48.079
<v Speaker 6>Absolutely, I can't help but think of doctor Xavier Amateur's book,

562
00:33:48.240 --> 00:33:48.799
<v Speaker 6>I'm not Sick.

563
00:33:48.799 --> 00:33:49.480
<v Speaker 5>I don't need help.

564
00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:52.119
<v Speaker 6>When we talk about antasignosia and the sort of inability

565
00:33:52.160 --> 00:33:55.559
<v Speaker 6>to really understand what their own personal experiences are, it

566
00:33:55.599 --> 00:33:59.000
<v Speaker 6>is a very real experience for some individuals. There's nothing

567
00:33:59.039 --> 00:34:02.480
<v Speaker 6>wrong with me, you are perceiving is just me being me, right,

568
00:34:02.559 --> 00:34:06.480
<v Speaker 6>and so that ability to understand or seek help, or

569
00:34:06.519 --> 00:34:08.000
<v Speaker 6>be willingness.

570
00:34:07.400 --> 00:34:09.360
<v Speaker 5>To go seek help. Why would I seek help?

571
00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:11.960
<v Speaker 6>There's nothing wrong with me, right, And so I think

572
00:34:12.039 --> 00:34:13.280
<v Speaker 6>we've swung the pendulum.

573
00:34:13.320 --> 00:34:14.159
<v Speaker 5>Thank goodness.

574
00:34:14.199 --> 00:34:16.079
<v Speaker 6>We are so far from the days of when we

575
00:34:16.119 --> 00:34:19.199
<v Speaker 6>would just institutionalize our individuals at the first drop of

576
00:34:19.199 --> 00:34:21.239
<v Speaker 6>a sign or a symptom of something going on with them.

577
00:34:21.320 --> 00:34:21.519
<v Speaker 2>Right.

578
00:34:21.719 --> 00:34:24.199
<v Speaker 5>That was the dark dark ages and mental health care.

579
00:34:24.400 --> 00:34:25.800
<v Speaker 6>But I think there's so much to be said for

580
00:34:25.840 --> 00:34:28.239
<v Speaker 6>what Gail is saying that there is no nice neat.

581
00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:31.239
<v Speaker 5>Box that these individuals fall into as well, and.

582
00:34:31.199 --> 00:34:34.400
<v Speaker 6>There's times when individuals we need to look at the

583
00:34:34.440 --> 00:34:38.760
<v Speaker 6>safety for everyone involved, most primarily the individual who's experiencing

584
00:34:38.800 --> 00:34:41.920
<v Speaker 6>some of those issues that we talk about that we

585
00:34:41.920 --> 00:34:43.400
<v Speaker 6>see on the streets of New York City, that we

586
00:34:43.480 --> 00:34:45.880
<v Speaker 6>see in our town in Niak and figure out what's

587
00:34:45.920 --> 00:34:48.760
<v Speaker 6>the best plan of action. Person centered care is so

588
00:34:48.760 --> 00:34:52.119
<v Speaker 6>so incredibly important. We want to take the individual into

589
00:34:52.159 --> 00:34:55.360
<v Speaker 6>account first and foremost. But there are times when we

590
00:34:55.480 --> 00:34:57.920
<v Speaker 6>are all not making the best decisions for ourselves, and

591
00:34:57.960 --> 00:34:59.920
<v Speaker 6>what do we do to approach that situation as well?

592
00:35:00.679 --> 00:35:02.320
<v Speaker 4>And how do we get somebody to a point of

593
00:35:02.360 --> 00:35:08.000
<v Speaker 4>recovery where they can voluntarily participate and come to understand

594
00:35:08.039 --> 00:35:10.480
<v Speaker 4>and have insight. And that is possible. I'm sure Elissa

595
00:35:10.559 --> 00:35:11.800
<v Speaker 4>sees it all the time.

596
00:35:12.239 --> 00:35:15.000
<v Speaker 5>Absolutely, recovery is not only possible, it's expected.

597
00:35:15.079 --> 00:35:15.239
<v Speaker 3>Right.

598
00:35:15.719 --> 00:35:18.199
<v Speaker 2>I was just going to ask you that, Yeah, it

599
00:35:18.239 --> 00:35:21.519
<v Speaker 2>is recovery possible. Sometimes these things seem like there's no

600
00:35:21.679 --> 00:35:24.800
<v Speaker 2>and these people are so seriously sick and I want

601
00:35:24.800 --> 00:35:29.159
<v Speaker 2>to use that term, they're sick in not a derogatory sense.

602
00:35:29.599 --> 00:35:33.360
<v Speaker 2>But so recovery is possible with the right treatment, etc.

603
00:35:34.039 --> 00:35:36.519
<v Speaker 5>Absolutely, and treatment. Again, there is no one.

604
00:35:36.440 --> 00:35:39.519
<v Speaker 6>Size fits all, right, So lots of people I constantly hear,

605
00:35:39.559 --> 00:35:41.400
<v Speaker 6>why won't they just take their medications and fix it?

606
00:35:41.559 --> 00:35:42.760
<v Speaker 5>Right, it's happened.

607
00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:45.760
<v Speaker 6>There's this expectation there's some magic pill out there that's

608
00:35:45.800 --> 00:35:47.719
<v Speaker 6>just going to up and fix all of the issues

609
00:35:47.719 --> 00:35:48.840
<v Speaker 6>that you're experiencing.

610
00:35:49.239 --> 00:35:50.639
<v Speaker 5>And that's not the case either.

611
00:35:50.679 --> 00:35:54.480
<v Speaker 6>There's so many supports and services and different treatment modalities

612
00:35:54.480 --> 00:35:56.719
<v Speaker 6>that come into play, and what worked for Joe may

613
00:35:56.760 --> 00:35:59.000
<v Speaker 6>not work for Sally. And so we need to be creative,

614
00:35:59.039 --> 00:36:01.760
<v Speaker 6>we need to be centered, unique in what we're doing

615
00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:04.599
<v Speaker 6>with that individual. Look at them as an individual rather

616
00:36:04.639 --> 00:36:06.920
<v Speaker 6>than a diagnosis or you know, a box that they're

617
00:36:06.960 --> 00:36:07.519
<v Speaker 6>fitting into.

618
00:36:08.719 --> 00:36:13.440
<v Speaker 2>Bill. What message ultimately do you hope that the audience

619
00:36:13.519 --> 00:36:15.599
<v Speaker 2>takes home with them from your film.

620
00:36:16.400 --> 00:36:19.199
<v Speaker 4>Well, part of what it is is what Alyssa just said,

621
00:36:19.360 --> 00:36:27.199
<v Speaker 4>Actually that you know that there are this diagnosis encompasses

622
00:36:27.400 --> 00:36:32.519
<v Speaker 4>a range of degrees and symptoms, and so do the

623
00:36:32.559 --> 00:36:35.199
<v Speaker 4>treatment options need to I want them to see that

624
00:36:35.320 --> 00:36:38.119
<v Speaker 4>people who live with mental illness, as one of the

625
00:36:38.360 --> 00:36:41.679
<v Speaker 4>family members says in the film, are people they often

626
00:36:41.719 --> 00:36:46.159
<v Speaker 4>had do have families who care about them, that although

627
00:36:46.639 --> 00:36:51.320
<v Speaker 4>the suffering is very real, the solutions exist and if

628
00:36:51.360 --> 00:36:54.199
<v Speaker 4>we as a society can find the will as we

629
00:36:54.360 --> 00:36:57.920
<v Speaker 4>have you know, it's movements have existed for aids for

630
00:36:58.079 --> 00:37:00.079
<v Speaker 4>breast cancer. I mean, there have been any number of

631
00:37:00.079 --> 00:37:03.639
<v Speaker 4>other disorders autism that have broken through in the public

632
00:37:03.679 --> 00:37:07.599
<v Speaker 4>consciousness and where real change has taken place. And I

633
00:37:07.639 --> 00:37:10.719
<v Speaker 4>think I think we are potentially at a tipping point

634
00:37:10.760 --> 00:37:14.679
<v Speaker 4>when it comes to mental illness. I mean, despite the

635
00:37:14.719 --> 00:37:19.679
<v Speaker 4>stigmatizing which we hear even from the White House on down,

636
00:37:20.159 --> 00:37:25.760
<v Speaker 4>I think the reality is that that people are more

637
00:37:25.880 --> 00:37:29.039
<v Speaker 4>understanding young people. I also think that's something else that

638
00:37:29.079 --> 00:37:31.360
<v Speaker 4>I think I hope people take away is that I

639
00:37:31.400 --> 00:37:34.880
<v Speaker 4>think young people are much more open about these disorders,

640
00:37:36.400 --> 00:37:40.039
<v Speaker 4>don't embrace that kind of stigma. And I think that

641
00:37:40.079 --> 00:37:42.840
<v Speaker 4>they are our hope looking forward and may better be

642
00:37:43.000 --> 00:37:47.440
<v Speaker 4>right because they are the future. But I think that

643
00:37:47.800 --> 00:37:51.760
<v Speaker 4>you know there there is another other paths and other

644
00:37:51.840 --> 00:37:56.079
<v Speaker 4>ways to go, and I don't you know, And recovery

645
00:37:56.119 --> 00:37:57.679
<v Speaker 4>is not the same as cure. I think for people

646
00:37:57.719 --> 00:38:00.599
<v Speaker 4>who live with the most serious illnesses, they have to

647
00:38:00.679 --> 00:38:04.360
<v Speaker 4>learn to manage these illnesses. But people live with diabetes,

648
00:38:04.440 --> 00:38:05.639
<v Speaker 4>people nowadays live.

649
00:38:05.559 --> 00:38:07.639
<v Speaker 2>With answer, they live with heart.

650
00:38:07.440 --> 00:38:11.079
<v Speaker 4>Disease, and so can people live full and meaningful lives

651
00:38:11.440 --> 00:38:15.360
<v Speaker 4>with mental illness. And what a waste of humanity not

652
00:38:15.840 --> 00:38:20.079
<v Speaker 4>to embrace everything it takes to make that possible. So

653
00:38:20.320 --> 00:38:22.119
<v Speaker 4>I guess that's what I hope people walk away with

654
00:38:22.280 --> 00:38:25.239
<v Speaker 4>is just a greater understanding of what they see every

655
00:38:25.320 --> 00:38:28.719
<v Speaker 4>day in the world around them in the news reports,

656
00:38:30.400 --> 00:38:32.719
<v Speaker 4>and that they don't look away.

657
00:38:34.320 --> 00:38:36.679
<v Speaker 2>And we're going to talk about the future after the break,

658
00:38:36.679 --> 00:38:40.440
<v Speaker 2>But one more question point to be made there. You know,

659
00:38:40.920 --> 00:38:44.199
<v Speaker 2>what I see here and something that I'm impressed with

660
00:38:44.400 --> 00:38:48.360
<v Speaker 2>is kind of a symbiotic relationship that has been created

661
00:38:48.920 --> 00:38:54.960
<v Speaker 2>between yourself, your organization. Filmmaker Gail and Alyssa's organization and

662
00:38:55.119 --> 00:38:58.119
<v Speaker 2>talk a little bit about how is a nonprofit. It's

663
00:38:58.199 --> 00:39:02.960
<v Speaker 2>important to create those kinds of synergies where you together

664
00:39:03.199 --> 00:39:06.639
<v Speaker 2>you can create a stronger message. Dress that a little

665
00:39:06.639 --> 00:39:07.000
<v Speaker 2>bit if you.

666
00:39:07.000 --> 00:39:11.239
<v Speaker 3>Would, sure, thank you. This is a great conversation. I'm

667
00:39:11.400 --> 00:39:14.440
<v Speaker 3>learning things that I hope come up in our conversation

668
00:39:15.639 --> 00:39:18.960
<v Speaker 3>at the next center when we show the complete film.

669
00:39:19.679 --> 00:39:24.760
<v Speaker 3>And again, that's one of the wonderful things about Rivertown

670
00:39:24.880 --> 00:39:27.639
<v Speaker 3>is that it gives us this opportunity that gives everyone

671
00:39:27.679 --> 00:39:32.880
<v Speaker 3>in the room this kind of opportunity. And I have

672
00:39:32.960 --> 00:39:35.679
<v Speaker 3>to say, you know, one reason that we always partner

673
00:39:35.800 --> 00:39:41.400
<v Speaker 3>with community organizations for every screening is a very practical

674
00:39:43.559 --> 00:39:46.480
<v Speaker 3>nuts and bolts. It brings more people into the room

675
00:39:46.639 --> 00:39:51.119
<v Speaker 3>because we have greater mental health helping us publicize this event.

676
00:39:52.000 --> 00:39:57.280
<v Speaker 3>Also should mention that Nammy of Rockland is partnering to

677
00:39:57.320 --> 00:40:04.800
<v Speaker 3>help spread the word about about the event and has partnered,

678
00:40:04.840 --> 00:40:08.039
<v Speaker 3>I understand many times with Gail about the showings of

679
00:40:08.079 --> 00:40:14.480
<v Speaker 3>this film or other chapters of NAMI. So it helps

680
00:40:14.559 --> 00:40:19.159
<v Speaker 3>us expand our audience and hopefully people who come to

681
00:40:19.199 --> 00:40:21.760
<v Speaker 3>see this film will know learn about us and come

682
00:40:21.800 --> 00:40:25.039
<v Speaker 3>back to see other films. Or be curious, become members,

683
00:40:26.760 --> 00:40:30.480
<v Speaker 3>and it just builds community connections the people in the room,

684
00:40:31.159 --> 00:40:34.280
<v Speaker 3>and that's a big part of what Rivertown. What's special

685
00:40:34.280 --> 00:40:37.679
<v Speaker 3>about Rivertown. We're not just showing movies. Everybody can watch

686
00:40:37.719 --> 00:40:41.679
<v Speaker 3>them at home. So many times, it's really much more

687
00:40:41.719 --> 00:40:45.360
<v Speaker 3>than that. And we find out so many times that

688
00:40:45.480 --> 00:40:48.920
<v Speaker 3>our neighbors who might live across the street from us,

689
00:40:49.239 --> 00:40:53.079
<v Speaker 3>we didn't know they have an expertise, they're an artist,

690
00:40:53.280 --> 00:40:57.880
<v Speaker 3>they're living with its kind of issue. It's just amazing

691
00:40:57.960 --> 00:41:01.000
<v Speaker 3>what you find out at a Rivertown screen, not just

692
00:41:01.039 --> 00:41:02.360
<v Speaker 3>from the film.

693
00:41:02.840 --> 00:41:05.440
<v Speaker 2>Guys are gonna take a little break. Don't go anywhere.

694
00:41:05.480 --> 00:41:07.400
<v Speaker 2>You guys don't go I have you capped it for now,

695
00:41:07.440 --> 00:41:11.920
<v Speaker 2>but certainly our listeners don't go anywhere yet. A wonderful conversation.

696
00:41:12.119 --> 00:41:13.840
<v Speaker 2>I want to talk a little bit more about the film.

697
00:41:14.079 --> 00:41:16.960
<v Speaker 2>We wanna talk a little bit more about the future. Okay.

698
00:41:17.840 --> 00:41:22.880
<v Speaker 2>Special guests from Greater Mental Health is Alissa Schmidt from Rivertown.

699
00:41:23.000 --> 00:41:27.239
<v Speaker 2>Film is Via Arno and the creator of the film

700
00:41:27.320 --> 00:41:30.280
<v Speaker 2>No One Cares About Crazy People. The topic of our

701
00:41:30.320 --> 00:41:34.239
<v Speaker 2>conversation today is Gail Friedman wing back with all three

702
00:41:34.280 --> 00:41:37.280
<v Speaker 2>of our ladies and just a few moments, this is

703
00:41:37.400 --> 00:41:40.639
<v Speaker 2>Being Frank. I'm your host, Frank Lebono will be back

704
00:41:40.679 --> 00:41:44.880
<v Speaker 2>with more intelligent conversation right after these brief commercial messages.

705
00:41:44.920 --> 00:41:46.519
<v Speaker 2>Please don't go anywhere. This is great.

706
00:41:47.320 --> 00:41:59.880
<v Speaker 3>This is Hudson River Radio dot com.

707
00:41:54.679 --> 00:41:56.440
<v Speaker 5>Hudson River Radio dot.

708
00:41:56.280 --> 00:42:06.360
<v Speaker 1>Com, Hudson Riverradio dot com.

709
00:42:09.719 --> 00:42:12.480
<v Speaker 5>This is Hudsonriverradio dot com.

710
00:42:16.079 --> 00:42:20.960
<v Speaker 2>Welcome back to Being Frank, the Intelligent Conversation podcast. Thanks

711
00:42:20.960 --> 00:42:24.679
<v Speaker 2>for sticking with us. I'm your hosts Frank Ubono and

712
00:42:24.760 --> 00:42:28.480
<v Speaker 2>as always our engineer as the mailman, mister Neil Richter.

713
00:42:29.119 --> 00:42:32.199
<v Speaker 2>We bring our audience a fresh topic every week and

714
00:42:32.239 --> 00:42:36.280
<v Speaker 2>we stream from Hudson River Radio, located and beautiful and

715
00:42:36.480 --> 00:42:40.000
<v Speaker 2>historic Stony Point, New York. But remember, you can catch

716
00:42:40.079 --> 00:42:44.760
<v Speaker 2>Being Frank anywhere you get your favorite podcasts like Apple, Spotify,

717
00:42:45.039 --> 00:42:49.199
<v Speaker 2>iHeartRadio and all the others. And because every Being Frank

718
00:42:49.320 --> 00:42:52.480
<v Speaker 2>is archived, you can listen to any of our programs

719
00:42:52.559 --> 00:42:55.480
<v Speaker 2>anytime you like. You can find a link to Being

720
00:42:55.519 --> 00:42:59.079
<v Speaker 2>Frank on the Hudson River Radio Facebook page or at

721
00:42:59.119 --> 00:43:04.559
<v Speaker 2>our website Hudsonriverradio dot com. Just click and you're there.

722
00:43:05.199 --> 00:43:08.440
<v Speaker 2>We're back with our very special program. We're discussing the

723
00:43:08.480 --> 00:43:12.760
<v Speaker 2>film No One Cares About Crazy People in particular and

724
00:43:13.079 --> 00:43:17.039
<v Speaker 2>mental health in general, with the creator of the film, producer, director,

725
00:43:17.079 --> 00:43:22.280
<v Speaker 2>writer Gail Friedman, a representative from the Greater Mental Health

726
00:43:22.320 --> 00:43:26.000
<v Speaker 2>of New York Elissa Schmidt, and from Rivertown Film hosts

727
00:43:26.039 --> 00:43:29.679
<v Speaker 2>and sponsors of the program, Vera, Aaron Old ladies, welcome back.

728
00:43:30.079 --> 00:43:32.199
<v Speaker 2>Thank you so much. We had a wonderful first half

729
00:43:32.199 --> 00:43:34.800
<v Speaker 2>of our program and lots more to talk about, not

730
00:43:34.880 --> 00:43:39.559
<v Speaker 2>too much time, so let's get back into it, and

731
00:43:39.599 --> 00:43:42.039
<v Speaker 2>again we can go around the table. Gail, why don't

732
00:43:42.079 --> 00:43:45.639
<v Speaker 2>we start with you? What questions should people be asking

733
00:43:45.760 --> 00:43:50.119
<v Speaker 2>after seeing this film?

734
00:43:50.400 --> 00:43:52.400
<v Speaker 4>Well, that's interesting. I mean I would say, far be

735
00:43:52.519 --> 00:43:56.239
<v Speaker 4>it from me to tell people what to think, and

736
00:43:56.320 --> 00:44:00.119
<v Speaker 4>I most often prefer to let my film speak for itself.

737
00:44:00.199 --> 00:44:06.199
<v Speaker 4>But I hope that people will will ask what's going

738
00:44:06.280 --> 00:44:13.679
<v Speaker 4>on in my community, you know, without getting too prescriptive,

739
00:44:13.760 --> 00:44:18.000
<v Speaker 4>what can I do to make a difference? You know,

740
00:44:18.079 --> 00:44:20.159
<v Speaker 4>that may be something really small, or it might be

741
00:44:20.239 --> 00:44:25.239
<v Speaker 4>something pretty major. But you know, I think one thing

742
00:44:25.280 --> 00:44:28.400
<v Speaker 4>that I realized, and I think Alyssa mentioned this earlier

743
00:44:28.400 --> 00:44:31.480
<v Speaker 4>in the show, is that there aren't six degrees of separation.

744
00:44:31.599 --> 00:44:34.800
<v Speaker 4>There are probably zero degrees of separation. And I think

745
00:44:34.920 --> 00:44:38.559
<v Speaker 4>every one of us, whether it's a relative, a neighbor,

746
00:44:39.440 --> 00:44:43.440
<v Speaker 4>a coworker, or somebody who went to school with, we

747
00:44:43.519 --> 00:44:46.639
<v Speaker 4>had someone in our life who is living with a

748
00:44:46.639 --> 00:44:51.079
<v Speaker 4>mental health struggle. And I hope that people can walk

749
00:44:51.119 --> 00:44:57.320
<v Speaker 4>away more curious about understanding just this fundamental and incredibly

750
00:44:58.800 --> 00:45:02.639
<v Speaker 4>prevalent aspect of human existence and just want to understand

751
00:45:02.719 --> 00:45:04.800
<v Speaker 4>it more. I mean, you know, the reality is on.

752
00:45:05.239 --> 00:45:07.639
<v Speaker 4>I didn't want this film to be medicine. I wanted

753
00:45:07.679 --> 00:45:09.719
<v Speaker 4>people to feel like they were watching a film, not

754
00:45:10.000 --> 00:45:11.519
<v Speaker 4>you know, getting a teachy preacher.

755
00:45:11.639 --> 00:45:13.159
<v Speaker 2>It's a challenge, yes, I hear it, who.

756
00:45:13.079 --> 00:45:15.079
<v Speaker 4>Lesson, which is why it was so important to have

757
00:45:15.119 --> 00:45:17.880
<v Speaker 4>it be very intimate and it's very intense.

758
00:45:17.920 --> 00:45:19.400
<v Speaker 2>I mean, you don't want to be a lecture. It's

759
00:45:19.440 --> 00:45:20.840
<v Speaker 2>not election exactly.

760
00:45:20.920 --> 00:45:22.960
<v Speaker 4>I wanted to feel like you were sort of in

761
00:45:23.000 --> 00:45:26.320
<v Speaker 4>there and walk away wanting to know more. If people

762
00:45:26.960 --> 00:45:30.679
<v Speaker 4>walk away with questions and don't feel like they've had

763
00:45:30.840 --> 00:45:34.119
<v Speaker 4>every piece of information available in the universe thrown at them,

764
00:45:34.440 --> 00:45:37.039
<v Speaker 4>then I'm happy. If people walk away wanting to know more,

765
00:45:37.119 --> 00:45:40.280
<v Speaker 4>whatever their questions might be. You know, what are the

766
00:45:40.280 --> 00:45:42.880
<v Speaker 4>best kinds of treatments available, what are the side effects

767
00:45:42.920 --> 00:45:45.519
<v Speaker 4>of medications, what kind of research is being done, what

768
00:45:45.679 --> 00:45:50.039
<v Speaker 4>is my own community making available? Whatever occurs to them,

769
00:45:50.280 --> 00:45:52.880
<v Speaker 4>then then I'm happy if they just walk out still

770
00:45:52.920 --> 00:45:54.840
<v Speaker 4>thinking about this and talking about it.

771
00:45:55.880 --> 00:45:59.480
<v Speaker 2>Well, it's a perfect segue to you and your your

772
00:45:59.599 --> 00:46:02.199
<v Speaker 2>facil your expertise. It's perfect segue.

773
00:46:02.599 --> 00:46:03.079
<v Speaker 5>Absolutely.

774
00:46:03.159 --> 00:46:05.239
<v Speaker 6>I mean my gut reaction is if I would love

775
00:46:05.320 --> 00:46:07.079
<v Speaker 6>viewers to come out with how can I help?

776
00:46:07.119 --> 00:46:08.000
<v Speaker 5>And who can I help?

777
00:46:08.079 --> 00:46:08.199
<v Speaker 2>Right?

778
00:46:08.280 --> 00:46:10.440
<v Speaker 6>But I think that's probably very Pollyanna of me, and

779
00:46:10.480 --> 00:46:12.639
<v Speaker 6>it's obviously very prescriptive of the work that I do

780
00:46:12.719 --> 00:46:16.039
<v Speaker 6>every day. I think a film like this should spur

781
00:46:16.119 --> 00:46:18.320
<v Speaker 6>and I hope it would spur some self reflection for

782
00:46:18.360 --> 00:46:23.280
<v Speaker 6>the viewers as well. Right, Who have I interacted with

783
00:46:23.519 --> 00:46:25.519
<v Speaker 6>that maybe I wasn't the kindest too.

784
00:46:26.159 --> 00:46:27.880
<v Speaker 5>Are there any things that I am doing?

785
00:46:27.960 --> 00:46:31.199
<v Speaker 6>Are there any biases that I have, whether consciously or unconsciously,

786
00:46:31.239 --> 00:46:33.519
<v Speaker 6>that are furthering some of the stigma issues that we're

787
00:46:33.519 --> 00:46:36.320
<v Speaker 6>seeing that are furthering some of the negative experiences that

788
00:46:36.400 --> 00:46:39.280
<v Speaker 6>these folks who have these mental health conditions are experiencing.

789
00:46:39.559 --> 00:46:41.679
<v Speaker 6>So I think something as profound as a film like this,

790
00:46:41.880 --> 00:46:43.960
<v Speaker 6>if all it does is make you think about yourself

791
00:46:44.000 --> 00:46:44.840
<v Speaker 6>for a couple of minutes.

792
00:46:44.880 --> 00:46:45.719
<v Speaker 5>I think it's a hit.

793
00:46:47.079 --> 00:46:48.800
<v Speaker 2>Via your thoughts.

794
00:46:50.239 --> 00:46:55.880
<v Speaker 3>Yeah, that's great, Well, I do think of course all

795
00:46:55.960 --> 00:46:59.960
<v Speaker 3>those things. But I think I hope that it spurs

796
00:47:00.320 --> 00:47:03.559
<v Speaker 3>people who are watching it to think more about the

797
00:47:03.599 --> 00:47:09.760
<v Speaker 3>resources in their community and find out what is available.

798
00:47:10.280 --> 00:47:14.639
<v Speaker 3>As everyone is saying we all know people who struggle

799
00:47:14.719 --> 00:47:18.800
<v Speaker 3>with mental health issues, I think we're not all aware

800
00:47:19.000 --> 00:47:23.639
<v Speaker 3>about what can be done, including just basic things about

801
00:47:23.639 --> 00:47:27.719
<v Speaker 3>what kind of care is available and if it's not,

802
00:47:28.000 --> 00:47:36.360
<v Speaker 3>why not, and of course being being kind to people

803
00:47:36.400 --> 00:47:40.239
<v Speaker 3>we know. But that's not always enough. You know that

804
00:47:40.360 --> 00:47:42.880
<v Speaker 3>more needs to be done. So it's really I think

805
00:47:42.880 --> 00:47:46.960
<v Speaker 3>it's really helpful to spread the word about what can

806
00:47:47.039 --> 00:47:50.000
<v Speaker 3>be done. I don't think people know enough about UH

807
00:47:50.199 --> 00:47:53.000
<v Speaker 3>and speaking for myself about what is really available.

808
00:47:54.280 --> 00:47:56.320
<v Speaker 2>Again, if we'll bounce it back to a listen, can

809
00:47:56.400 --> 00:47:58.039
<v Speaker 2>put you back on the spot less.

810
00:47:57.880 --> 00:47:59.880
<v Speaker 5>When you want a professionals is where I find it?

811
00:48:00.599 --> 00:48:03.679
<v Speaker 2>Again might seem like an obvious question, but how do

812
00:48:03.719 --> 00:48:07.400
<v Speaker 2>we recognize that someone really again, the difference between while

813
00:48:07.440 --> 00:48:11.360
<v Speaker 2>they're a little depressed today and someone who's really struggling mentally?

814
00:48:11.760 --> 00:48:14.360
<v Speaker 2>Are there signs to look for, and once we see them,

815
00:48:14.519 --> 00:48:15.119
<v Speaker 2>what do we do?

816
00:48:15.519 --> 00:48:18.320
<v Speaker 6>Of course, absolutely so, first and foremost, I really think

817
00:48:18.360 --> 00:48:21.519
<v Speaker 6>that the most important thing to do is ask questions

818
00:48:21.559 --> 00:48:24.239
<v Speaker 6>and check in on your loved ones, just at face value. Right,

819
00:48:24.280 --> 00:48:26.800
<v Speaker 6>we're in a stage post COVID where there's a lot

820
00:48:26.800 --> 00:48:29.280
<v Speaker 6>of isolation. People are more on social media than they

821
00:48:29.280 --> 00:48:31.719
<v Speaker 6>are gathering with their friends and loved ones, right, So

822
00:48:32.079 --> 00:48:33.679
<v Speaker 6>checking in with the folks that are close to you

823
00:48:33.840 --> 00:48:37.079
<v Speaker 6>is so important because you'll notice if somebody's acting a

824
00:48:37.159 --> 00:48:40.800
<v Speaker 6>little differently. Right, Hopefully you will feel the change in passion,

825
00:48:40.880 --> 00:48:43.239
<v Speaker 6>the change and experience when you're sitting with somebody who's

826
00:48:43.320 --> 00:48:45.400
<v Speaker 6>usually very lively and now is maybe on the other

827
00:48:45.519 --> 00:48:48.639
<v Speaker 6>end of that spectrum being very quiet, very into themselves.

828
00:48:49.280 --> 00:48:49.440
<v Speaker 5>You know.

829
00:48:49.480 --> 00:48:51.760
<v Speaker 6>Again, we don't want to talk about putting folks into

830
00:48:51.800 --> 00:48:54.760
<v Speaker 6>a box. Everybody experiences changes in their mental health in

831
00:48:54.800 --> 00:48:59.360
<v Speaker 6>different ways. But some very typical issues to be concerned about.

832
00:48:59.639 --> 00:49:03.960
<v Speaker 6>Folks who are isolating from groups of friends and family

833
00:49:03.960 --> 00:49:07.519
<v Speaker 6>when they are typically very involved and very social individuals

834
00:49:07.559 --> 00:49:11.920
<v Speaker 6>who are starting to talk about hopelessness, helplessness, some of

835
00:49:11.920 --> 00:49:14.320
<v Speaker 6>that concerning language where we might be starting to get

836
00:49:14.360 --> 00:49:18.039
<v Speaker 6>into a little bit of a danger zone. Hearing individuals

837
00:49:18.079 --> 00:49:21.519
<v Speaker 6>talk about giving away some of their prized possessions, or

838
00:49:21.639 --> 00:49:24.480
<v Speaker 6>taking care of their pets or things of that nature.

839
00:49:24.719 --> 00:49:27.039
<v Speaker 6>These are all things that as a clinician, my hat

840
00:49:27.119 --> 00:49:29.280
<v Speaker 6>is starting to go. You know, we're getting into some

841
00:49:29.320 --> 00:49:32.039
<v Speaker 6>concerning behavior here, but I think really it's just looking

842
00:49:32.039 --> 00:49:34.719
<v Speaker 6>for minor departures. We know the individuals in our lives,

843
00:49:34.719 --> 00:49:37.880
<v Speaker 6>We love the individuals in our lives. If we're noticing changes,

844
00:49:38.280 --> 00:49:41.000
<v Speaker 6>please don't be afraid to ask those people about it.

845
00:49:41.039 --> 00:49:43.400
<v Speaker 6>Everybody is just looking for a safe space to talk

846
00:49:43.440 --> 00:49:46.079
<v Speaker 6>about it. The more we ignore the problem, the more

847
00:49:46.119 --> 00:49:48.239
<v Speaker 6>we stigmatize the problem, and the more we make it

848
00:49:48.320 --> 00:49:50.559
<v Speaker 6>so that folks who are experiencing some of these mental

849
00:49:50.559 --> 00:49:53.320
<v Speaker 6>health challenges feel like they can only stay to themselves

850
00:49:53.360 --> 00:49:53.719
<v Speaker 6>about it.

851
00:49:54.880 --> 00:49:57.360
<v Speaker 2>Yeah, I think I heard from you a certain level

852
00:49:57.400 --> 00:50:01.880
<v Speaker 2>of optimism. I painted a well kind of a negative picture,

853
00:50:01.920 --> 00:50:04.719
<v Speaker 2>and you said it not necessarily true. There's work to

854
00:50:04.800 --> 00:50:08.800
<v Speaker 2>be done, but you believe there are positive signs moving forward.

855
00:50:08.840 --> 00:50:09.760
<v Speaker 2>Talk a little to that.

856
00:50:10.159 --> 00:50:13.079
<v Speaker 6>Absolutely, we are seeing an increase in mental health care

857
00:50:13.159 --> 00:50:15.159
<v Speaker 6>utilization in the last couple of weeks.

858
00:50:16.119 --> 00:50:17.599
<v Speaker 2>Unil lis'ten finish it, and we'll get to Gail to

859
00:50:17.760 --> 00:50:18.599
<v Speaker 2>please go ahead.

860
00:50:18.599 --> 00:50:20.000
<v Speaker 5>I'm sorry now, absolutely.

861
00:50:19.800 --> 00:50:21.719
<v Speaker 2>Just not an issue, not a problem at all. Go

862
00:50:21.760 --> 00:50:23.599
<v Speaker 2>ahead and listen, then, Gail, you finish up.

863
00:50:23.719 --> 00:50:26.960
<v Speaker 6>Yeah, so we're seeing an increase in service utilization. By

864
00:50:26.960 --> 00:50:28.719
<v Speaker 6>no means do I believe at my core that more

865
00:50:28.760 --> 00:50:31.840
<v Speaker 6>folks are experiencing issues with their mental health. I think

866
00:50:31.880 --> 00:50:35.320
<v Speaker 6>we have just increasingly normalized the ability for folks to

867
00:50:35.440 --> 00:50:36.639
<v Speaker 6>reach out for help.

868
00:50:36.840 --> 00:50:38.840
<v Speaker 5>That to me is a positive, not a negative.

869
00:50:38.960 --> 00:50:42.119
<v Speaker 6>The more folks who are utilizing these resources, asking questions,

870
00:50:42.280 --> 00:50:45.039
<v Speaker 6>seeking out supports for themselves and their loved ones, it's

871
00:50:45.119 --> 00:50:47.280
<v Speaker 6>nothing but a positive. Because the more folks that we

872
00:50:47.320 --> 00:50:50.920
<v Speaker 6>can expose to treatment, to supports and services, the more

873
00:50:50.960 --> 00:50:54.239
<v Speaker 6>people we can't help in their own experiences along the way.

874
00:50:55.199 --> 00:50:57.719
<v Speaker 2>Okay, Gail, pick it up from there, same question. You

875
00:50:57.760 --> 00:50:59.920
<v Speaker 2>seem to be optimistic more than pessific.

876
00:51:00.239 --> 00:51:05.920
<v Speaker 7>I'm hopeful, optimistic a strong work, but I am I am.

877
00:51:04.159 --> 00:51:08.519
<v Speaker 7>I'm hopeful by the fact that there is more and

878
00:51:08.559 --> 00:51:13.639
<v Speaker 7>more advocacy, more and more determination to make change, that

879
00:51:13.800 --> 00:51:15.840
<v Speaker 7>more and more legislators.

880
00:51:15.119 --> 00:51:18.599
<v Speaker 4>Are waking up. At least on the state and local level.

881
00:51:19.239 --> 00:51:21.079
<v Speaker 4>We could use more of that. On the federal level.

882
00:51:22.280 --> 00:51:24.559
<v Speaker 4>The medicaid cuts that we've had have been devastating. So

883
00:51:24.599 --> 00:51:26.679
<v Speaker 4>that's a reason not to be hopeful, because an awful

884
00:51:26.679 --> 00:51:29.119
<v Speaker 4>lot of mental health care is paid for with Medicaid dollars.

885
00:51:29.159 --> 00:51:32.599
<v Speaker 4>But I think that there is a lot of movement

886
00:51:33.559 --> 00:51:36.519
<v Speaker 4>and a lot of advocacy, and as I say, I

887
00:51:36.559 --> 00:51:39.400
<v Speaker 4>think we're potentially, if we can sustain it, at a

888
00:51:39.480 --> 00:51:43.960
<v Speaker 4>kind of a tipping point. And I'm also hopeful, which

889
00:51:44.039 --> 00:51:45.760
<v Speaker 4>this sounds self serving in a way, but you know,

890
00:51:45.760 --> 00:51:48.960
<v Speaker 4>I've been doing this director's tour since the fall, and

891
00:51:49.000 --> 00:51:51.800
<v Speaker 4>we've been I don't know, about a dozen places so far,

892
00:51:51.920 --> 00:51:55.320
<v Speaker 4>all around the country, and almost every time it's a

893
00:51:55.360 --> 00:51:58.679
<v Speaker 4>full house. And I take that as a very hopeful

894
00:51:58.719 --> 00:52:03.559
<v Speaker 4>sign that people are interested and want to see this

895
00:52:03.679 --> 00:52:05.719
<v Speaker 4>and want to know more. And partly it's a kind

896
00:52:05.719 --> 00:52:12.000
<v Speaker 4>of perhaps a sensationalistic of wiistic fascination watching someone from

897
00:52:12.039 --> 00:52:15.519
<v Speaker 4>a safe remove in psychosis has its own kind of fascination.

898
00:52:15.960 --> 00:52:17.719
<v Speaker 4>But more than that, I think it comes from a

899
00:52:17.760 --> 00:52:22.559
<v Speaker 4>place of caring and wanting to understand. And the conversations

900
00:52:22.559 --> 00:52:25.760
<v Speaker 4>that take place after the screenings, the comments and the

901
00:52:25.840 --> 00:52:28.880
<v Speaker 4>questions that come up give me a lot of hope

902
00:52:29.239 --> 00:52:34.960
<v Speaker 4>because people do care. It's not that no one cares.

903
00:52:35.239 --> 00:52:38.440
<v Speaker 4>Maybe there are some that do not care, but I

904
00:52:38.480 --> 00:52:41.360
<v Speaker 4>think I think we're to point where more and more

905
00:52:41.360 --> 00:52:45.000
<v Speaker 4>people are sitting up and paying attention. And like I said,

906
00:52:45.039 --> 00:52:48.360
<v Speaker 4>I think change, Change can happen, change does happen, and

907
00:52:48.400 --> 00:52:51.679
<v Speaker 4>I think that begins with understanding. So that makes me hopeful.

908
00:52:52.639 --> 00:52:55.800
<v Speaker 2>If via talk a little bit about now it's time

909
00:52:55.840 --> 00:53:00.639
<v Speaker 2>to plug the times dates place where where can people

910
00:53:00.679 --> 00:53:02.440
<v Speaker 2>see the film?

911
00:53:02.920 --> 00:53:08.880
<v Speaker 3>Okay, go to rivertownfilm dot org and you can buy

912
00:53:08.880 --> 00:53:11.760
<v Speaker 3>a ticket for our screening of No One Cares About

913
00:53:11.760 --> 00:53:15.000
<v Speaker 3>Crazy People, which will be a Wednesday, January twenty eighth,

914
00:53:15.199 --> 00:53:18.800
<v Speaker 3>eight pm at the Nayac Center in Nayak. It's a

915
00:53:18.840 --> 00:53:22.960
<v Speaker 3>great place to come have dinner beforehand. There are lots

916
00:53:23.000 --> 00:53:29.320
<v Speaker 3>of delicious places to eat with delicious food beforehand. And

917
00:53:30.920 --> 00:53:36.239
<v Speaker 3>I look forward to resuming this conversation which I've really

918
00:53:36.360 --> 00:53:41.639
<v Speaker 3>enjoyed with Gail and Alissa and Dina Pataki, the film's editor,

919
00:53:41.679 --> 00:53:43.840
<v Speaker 3>will also be there with us and lots of other

920
00:53:44.000 --> 00:53:45.800
<v Speaker 3>people from the community.

921
00:53:46.880 --> 00:53:49.639
<v Speaker 2>I hope to be as well. Lissa, Now again your

922
00:53:50.400 --> 00:53:54.559
<v Speaker 2>important information about your organization. If people need you, need

923
00:53:54.639 --> 00:53:56.960
<v Speaker 2>help from you, etc. How can they get Yeah?

924
00:53:57.000 --> 00:53:59.239
<v Speaker 5>Absolutely so. Our website is a great place to start.

925
00:53:59.280 --> 00:54:02.159
<v Speaker 6>Greater Mental Health of New York dot org, Greater Mental

926
00:54:02.159 --> 00:54:02.760
<v Speaker 6>Health dot work.

927
00:54:02.760 --> 00:54:03.280
<v Speaker 5>Excuse me.

928
00:54:04.079 --> 00:54:06.719
<v Speaker 6>We have fifty five plus supports and services that service

929
00:54:06.760 --> 00:54:09.719
<v Speaker 6>Rockland and Westchester counties, and we even crawl into Putnam

930
00:54:09.760 --> 00:54:12.480
<v Speaker 6>for a couple of those. But you know, we're going

931
00:54:12.480 --> 00:54:15.280
<v Speaker 6>into our eightieth year of celebrating ourselves as an agency,

932
00:54:15.280 --> 00:54:17.760
<v Speaker 6>and we are still finding individuals.

933
00:54:17.199 --> 00:54:18.400
<v Speaker 5>Who don't know that we exist.

934
00:54:18.599 --> 00:54:21.239
<v Speaker 6>It ceases to amaze me, right, So we want to

935
00:54:21.280 --> 00:54:23.639
<v Speaker 6>get the word out if you have questions, if you

936
00:54:23.679 --> 00:54:26.519
<v Speaker 6>don't know what the right way to start is, we

937
00:54:26.559 --> 00:54:28.880
<v Speaker 6>have a great what we call outreach and engagement team.

938
00:54:29.199 --> 00:54:30.639
<v Speaker 5>Call the main number on our website.

939
00:54:30.679 --> 00:54:33.039
<v Speaker 6>You're going to speak with an individual that you can say,

940
00:54:33.079 --> 00:54:34.760
<v Speaker 6>you know, I think I need help, but I don't

941
00:54:34.760 --> 00:54:36.880
<v Speaker 6>know what that is. And those folks are trained to

942
00:54:37.039 --> 00:54:39.159
<v Speaker 6>be there support you and figure out where to start

943
00:54:39.199 --> 00:54:41.440
<v Speaker 6>with all of that. But the website also is going

944
00:54:41.480 --> 00:54:43.719
<v Speaker 6>to outline all of our programs and services.

945
00:54:44.000 --> 00:54:44.760
<v Speaker 5>It's a great place.

946
00:54:46.440 --> 00:54:51.559
<v Speaker 2>No one cares about crazy people. Wednesday, January twenty eighth,

947
00:54:51.599 --> 00:54:54.679
<v Speaker 2>eight pm at the Niaccenter, Ladies, thank you so much,

948
00:54:54.679 --> 00:54:58.920
<v Speaker 2>as has been an absolutely wonderful conversation really really intelligent.

949
00:54:59.199 --> 00:54:59.760
<v Speaker 5>Thank you for.

950
00:54:59.639 --> 00:55:03.800
<v Speaker 4>Having Thank you for the opportunity Frank again, and I

951
00:55:03.960 --> 00:55:08.719
<v Speaker 4>really town film and to greater mental health for partnering

952
00:55:08.760 --> 00:55:09.119
<v Speaker 4>on this.

953
00:55:09.960 --> 00:55:12.519
<v Speaker 2>I encourage people to go and see the film. It's

954
00:55:12.639 --> 00:55:17.239
<v Speaker 2>narrated by Robert say his name for me. I want

955
00:55:17.239 --> 00:55:24.480
<v Speaker 2>to mass Oden Kirk. I didn't want to kill and nobody.

956
00:55:24.519 --> 00:55:27.000
<v Speaker 2>He's far from nobody and the.

957
00:55:26.960 --> 00:55:29.760
<v Speaker 4>Original and I will also say original music by Jeff Tweety,

958
00:55:29.840 --> 00:55:30.360
<v Speaker 4>the front.

959
00:55:30.119 --> 00:55:30.800
<v Speaker 2>Man for Wilco.

960
00:55:31.039 --> 00:55:34.039
<v Speaker 4>So for music fans out there, those having Bob and

961
00:55:34.480 --> 00:55:36.639
<v Speaker 4>Jeff as part of this has been a great gift.

962
00:55:37.000 --> 00:55:39.599
<v Speaker 2>Yeah, it's the real deal. I want to let people

963
00:55:39.599 --> 00:55:42.199
<v Speaker 2>know that it really is to yourselves a favor. See

964
00:55:42.239 --> 00:55:45.119
<v Speaker 2>the film and stay for the conversation afterwards. It's important.

965
00:55:47.239 --> 00:55:47.679
<v Speaker 3>Thank you.

966
00:55:47.760 --> 00:55:50.800
<v Speaker 2>Okay, you're very welcome, ladies, And of course we offer

967
00:55:50.920 --> 00:55:53.239
<v Speaker 2>special thanks to our listeners who take time to give

968
00:55:53.320 --> 00:55:55.800
<v Speaker 2>us a voice in their lives. Remember you offer a

969
00:55:55.840 --> 00:55:59.639
<v Speaker 2>fresh topic just about every week. Catch us wherever and

970
00:55:59.800 --> 00:56:03.920
<v Speaker 2>whenever you get your favorite podcasts. That includes apples, Spotify,

971
00:56:04.400 --> 00:56:07.519
<v Speaker 2>iHeartRadio and all the rest. Check us out at the

972
00:56:07.559 --> 00:56:10.360
<v Speaker 2>Hudson River Radio Facebook page. You can leave us a

973
00:56:10.360 --> 00:56:13.719
<v Speaker 2>comment there as well too. You know you can catch

974
00:56:13.760 --> 00:56:17.199
<v Speaker 2>my writing. I have my own blog, talk frank ww

975
00:56:17.280 --> 00:56:20.920
<v Speaker 2>dot talgsh Frank dot blogspot dot com, and I also

976
00:56:21.000 --> 00:56:25.360
<v Speaker 2>publish a column every Friday in Nayaknews and Views. If

977
00:56:25.360 --> 00:56:27.840
<v Speaker 2>you like this show, you may like my writing as well.

978
00:56:27.880 --> 00:56:31.320
<v Speaker 2>I invite you to check it out. Okay, you know

979
00:56:31.360 --> 00:56:34.159
<v Speaker 2>I always leave you a couple of the last things,

980
00:56:34.159 --> 00:56:38.320
<v Speaker 2>a slogan that I feel is appropriate, and some great

981
00:56:38.360 --> 00:56:42.800
<v Speaker 2>original closing music. Today we're going to get one from

982
00:56:43.039 --> 00:56:46.159
<v Speaker 2>Martin Luther King as we celebrated his birthday this week.

983
00:56:46.599 --> 00:56:48.719
<v Speaker 2>And I've said it before, and I'll say it again

984
00:56:48.920 --> 00:56:51.599
<v Speaker 2>over and over again. He said this originally in nineteen

985
00:56:51.719 --> 00:56:54.639
<v Speaker 2>sixty three, and I think it's very appropriate to our

986
00:56:54.719 --> 00:57:00.199
<v Speaker 2>conversation today. Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can

987
00:57:00.239 --> 00:57:04.599
<v Speaker 2>do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can

988
00:57:04.639 --> 00:57:07.280
<v Speaker 2>do that. All Right, we've got some great closing music.

989
00:57:07.360 --> 00:57:10.159
<v Speaker 2>It's a stand up and be counted by Stephen Swan

990
00:57:10.559 --> 00:57:14.039
<v Speaker 2>and David Snyder, two longtime friends from there soon to

991
00:57:14.079 --> 00:57:18.119
<v Speaker 2>be released album Swan and Snyder, a fifty year collection.

992
00:57:18.679 --> 00:57:22.719
<v Speaker 2>The title is in response to human rights abuses everywhere.

993
00:57:23.079 --> 00:57:26.159
<v Speaker 2>For our engineer, the mailman, mister Neil Richter, I'm your host,

994
00:57:26.159 --> 00:57:28.639
<v Speaker 2>Frank Lebono, and we hope to have you. Have you

995
00:57:28.840 --> 00:57:31.320
<v Speaker 2>join us on the next being Frank, We're the only

996
00:57:31.360 --> 00:57:59.199
<v Speaker 2>way to be of course, is Frank, take care of everyone?

997
00:58:00.039 --> 00:58:01.000
<v Speaker 5>Are you waiting for?

998
00:58:02.000 --> 00:58:02.280
<v Speaker 8>Sad?

999
00:58:04.159 --> 00:58:08.719
<v Speaker 2>What are you waiting for? Stand up? What are you

1000
00:58:08.840 --> 00:58:09.360
<v Speaker 2>waiting for?

1001
00:58:10.519 --> 00:58:10.840
<v Speaker 3>Shant?

1002
00:58:11.639 --> 00:58:20.719
<v Speaker 8>Everyone out, nay, this time is right now, the says,

1003
00:58:21.440 --> 00:58:23.239
<v Speaker 8>don't yet to what you do?

1004
00:58:25.280 --> 00:58:28.320
<v Speaker 2>See A smile hundred face makes that happen?

1005
00:58:29.079 --> 00:58:34.159
<v Speaker 8>Well, wait waiting for and we have What are you

1006
00:58:34.280 --> 00:58:34.800
<v Speaker 8>waiting for?

1007
00:58:35.920 --> 00:58:36.199
<v Speaker 3>Stead?

1008
00:58:38.079 --> 00:58:40.159
<v Speaker 8>What are you waiting for? Shant?

1009
00:58:42.280 --> 00:58:43.280
<v Speaker 1>What are you waiting for?

1010
00:58:45.480 --> 00:58:46.599
<v Speaker 3>Yet?

1011
00:58:47.639 --> 00:58:48.039
<v Speaker 8>Candy?

1012
00:58:49.679 --> 00:58:52.039
<v Speaker 6>When child chill?

1013
00:58:52.920 --> 00:58:54.360
<v Speaker 8>Love is shady?

1014
00:58:54.960 --> 00:58:57.360
<v Speaker 2>W com holler? J't I shine?

1015
00:58:58.760 --> 00:59:00.400
<v Speaker 8>So what will be better?

1016
00:59:00.840 --> 00:59:02.519
<v Speaker 2>We can under the time.

1017
00:59:03.960 --> 00:59:06.599
<v Speaker 3>You know, shi.

1018
00:59:08.400 --> 00:59:15.960
<v Speaker 5>Shin yo.

1019
00:59:44.360 --> 00:59:46.039
<v Speaker 2>Say this right now?

1020
00:59:46.599 --> 00:59:47.760
<v Speaker 5>Boy?

1021
00:59:48.679 --> 00:59:49.119
<v Speaker 3>What is that?

1022
00:59:49.360 --> 00:59:50.880
<v Speaker 5>We got to get it straight.

1023
00:59:51.880 --> 00:59:54.559
<v Speaker 8>You don't left them because what did sit?

1024
00:59:54.760 --> 00:59:54.840
<v Speaker 5>Jo?

1025
00:59:55.039 --> 00:59:55.800
<v Speaker 3>Happy to me?

1026
00:59:56.360 --> 01:00:10.719
<v Speaker 8>Waiting to wake you? Sad to wake people? Waiting for people.

1027
01:00:40.000 --> 01:00:40.800
<v Speaker 5>To start.

1028
01:00:42.320 --> 01:00:56.519
<v Speaker 8>Start. It's well work.

1029
01:01:10.679 --> 01:01:12.480
<v Speaker 1>Hudson River Radio dot Com.

1030
01:01:13.559 --> 01:01:13.960
<v Speaker 2>Mm hmm.