Screening of Unheard Voices at California State University, East Bay

Taken from an entry from the Facebook page of P.E.E.R.S.:

P.E.E.R.S. (Peers Envisioning & Engaging in Recovery Services) ‎

"Sharing Our Journey: Overcoming the Stigma of Mental Illness Through Wellness and Recovery"
11/29/10, 11 AM – 1 PM California State University East Bay, New Student Union, Multipurpose Room A. Lunch will be served!

"Workshop will include poetry and art from people who live with mental illness, a panel of mental health consumers, a movie about mental illness, and a small group discussion."

Two consumers involved in our film project were at the workshop as panelists. I couldn't make it due to an unexpected family emergency, but I hear the workshop went well.

San Francisco State University screening

Today, Eddie, Rene, Robert and I went to San Francisco State University to screen the Unheard Voices DVD at the social work dept. We were asked by our clinic interns Allison, Natalie, Ellbert, and Katy to do this presentation as part of their own class seminar presentation. The clients and I were struck by how sympathetic and friendly the class was. Rene said something very interesting during the Q/A. When asked by one of the students how she felt about watching herself on screen, Rene stated that while she was watching the video, she felt as if she had been dreaming for most of her life and finally she had awakened. Eddie jumped in and said he knew what she meant.

Rene, who is usually shy in public places, said that she felt very good about today's outing. She's not normally around a lot of people, but she was able to touch a lot of students. Robert said that he rarely does "normal activities" like this. Speaking in front of "normal" people, being accepted by them, etc. Eddie also noted how friendly the students were.

Afterwards, we went to nearby Stonestown Mall and had a big dinner at Chevy's. Robert and Eddie ordered the Mixed grill dinner combo, and Rene ordered a huge plate combo as well. It was a very moving experience to be able to sit with them and to dine with them after a wonderful presentation. It was a sacred meal for me where I experienced a fleeting, yet strong solidarity with our clients who showed enough courage to speak out about mental illness in front of university students.

Screening at San Jose State University

Today, some of the clients involved in the Unheard Voices film travelled to San Jose State University to screen their film in front of two different Occupational Therapy classes. This was our first trip outside of San Francisco to screen our DVD and a great opportunity to empower our clients to educate, fight stigma, and raise awareness about mental illness. Dave Fariello, our clinic director, was kind enough to let me drive his mini-van. It was a beautiful, if not occasionally wet, March morning as we travelled along the scenic 280 FWY. Eddie, one of four clients in today's outreach, remarked that he had never been to San Jose. There was definitely a "field trip" quality to the outing which enabled us to have fun and bond together.

The 25-plus students in each class were thoughtful, friendly and receptive, asking some very good questions during the post-screening Q/A time. During the Q/A, Debbie and Eddie both read their poems. Eddie also challenged the students, who are future care providers, to make sure that they treat mental health patients as human beings. Robert talked about how creativity and music have helped him cope with mental illness. Some of the students were interested in obtaining Rene's artwork. Rene gave them her business cards and promised them a "good deal" if they contacted her via e-mail.

I'm not sure if the clients knew what they had accomplished, but my conviction is that through their screening and live Q/A session, Rene, Debbie, Robert, and Eddie have made a deep, positive impression in the minds of these young students who will soon find themselves in the position of providing care to persons who live with mental illness.

Screening at Office of Self Help

Today, the members and "stars" of the Intermedia Arts Project went to the Office of Self Help to screen our "Unheard Voices" video. Prior to the main video, we screened Rochelle's video, "Under His Wings." The viewers, many of whom were consumers of the mental health system, responded well to the videos. We stuck around for Q/A afterwards. 

Clients Talk about their Films to Social Work Interns

Today I had a chance to present on the Intermedia Arts Project to this year's interns at our clinic. Every year, Citywide & Community Focus Center recruits eager and capable students from a number of Bay Area counseling and social work programs for a year of supervised internship. This year the Intermedia Arts Project was invited to be a part of the 3-week long intensive training for the interns that occurs annually at our clinic. I brought along our client-participants to the training so that they could talk about their experiences with the digital storytelling project. We began with the 30-minute "Unheard Voices" video which was warmly and enthusiastically received by the interns. They asked a lot of questions to the clients afterwards. If you ask me, I think some of the interns were "star struck" by our client-participants--which is a good thing. The main reason for today's training was to help our future social workers/clinicians to see our clients in a new way--not just as patients but as human beings who have a lot of important things to say.One of my hopes for our project is that our client-participants would continue to have opportunities like to this to talk about their experiences and to interact with the public through multiple viewing/screening opportunities throughout the year. This would not only help fight stigma against mental illness in a powerful way, but it can really enhance their self- esteem. Today's session has certainly boosted my own self-esteem.