Started Facebook Group Campaign Today

As part of our fight to save our clinic and to give voice to the unheard, we activated our first ever Cyber-campaign via Facebook Group. As of this writing we have over 100 new group members who joined. My goal is to have at least 1,000 people join us (give or take a few hundred) in solidarity. We want to send the message to the powers that be that people care about other people. WE ARE WATCHING.
Join our Facebook group at Unheard Voices of San Francisco Speaking Out.

Proposed Budget Cuts by DPH Target the Most Vulnerable in San Francisco

This past week, i found out that our Citywide & Community Focus Center, which provides intensive case management services to over 700 of the MOST SEVERE & CHRONICALLY MENTALLY ILL PATIENTS in the city of San Francisco, was the target of DPH's (Department of Public Health) largest proposed budget cuts for any outpatient mental health clinic in the city.

Wow! It just doesn't make sense. Imagine how much more it would cost the city if our 700-plus clients lose vital services--spikes in hospital & emergency costs, increased homelessness, and possibly crime. I think it may even affect the tourist industry in San Francisco given that many of our clients live in/near the Tenderloin area which is right next to the hub of San Francisco's major tourist attraction: Union Square/Powell St./Cable Car...

As is often the case in economically troubled times, those who are most marginalized and poor suffer the most. "The measure of a civilization is how it treats its weakest." I wonder if the current proposed budget cuts reflect what is best about San Francisco.

We Win The Spirit Award at City Shorts Film Festival

At the City Shorts Student Film Festival tonight, our film "Under His Wings", won the Spirit Award which was one of only three awards given out at this 10th annual film festival at Diego Rivera Theater. There were approximately 90-95 submissions for the film festival, and it was good enough for me that our film was chosen. But to win the Spirit Award was an exhilarating experience! One minor blot to this incredible evening was that the film festival misrepresented the title of my film. The award certificate reads, "Underneath His Wings", when in fact it should have been "Under His Wings." But in reality, they both mean the same, so no big deal.

10th Annual City Shorts Student Film Festival

Last weekend I was informed by the Cinema Dept. of City College of San Francisco that one of the films I submitted (i.e. "Under His Wings") was chosen to be shown at their 10th Annual City Shorts Student Film Festival next Thursday. "Under His Wings" is an 8 minute short about a young African American woman who finds strength in her faith. I feel fortunate to be selected given the fact that I waited to the last possible minute to submit the film. I heard that there were almost a hundred submissions and only 13 of us got selected!

The City Shorts Festival may not be a Sundance or a Cannes, but I feel very honored to be a part of this event sponsored by the Cinema department at City College of San Francisco, especially given that I am a product of this college. This is where I learned how to make movies while working full-time doing social work stuff...taking a night class in film editing, then taking another evening class in documentary filmmaking the following year, etc. for a measley $100.00 per class. In fact, I should take this time to thank Denise Bostrom, a writer/filmmaker who helped me write this film while I was taking her "Nonfiction Scriptwriting Course" last fall semester. Thank God for public education and community colleges such as CCSF where second chances and dreams can be nurtured.

For those of you in the local area who want to support this nonprofit event full of wonderful shorts by local filmmakers, come to the Diego Rivera Theater at the main campus. That's next Thursday May 13th at 7:00PM. Suggested donation of $2.00 at the door.

World Premiere of Rosenthal's Crooked Beauty

Vince Vilan introduced me to filmmaker Ken Paul Rosenthal, a San Francisco filmmaker/artist who recently completed a film on "madness". I had a nice chat with Ken over the phone, and he invited me to attend his premiere.

April 17, 2010 was the world premiere of Ken Rosenthal's wonderful 30-minute documentary, "Crooked Beauty" at the SF Cinematheque. When I arrived at Victoria Theater, it quickly filled up with eager audiences as we watched Rosenthal's film which is a beautifully shot "poetic documentary" that features Ashley McNamara--co-founder of the Icarus Project.

Although we never get to see her talking on screen, Ashley's intelligent, eloquent voice set to evocative visual images left a deep, powerful impression as she talked about her bout with "bipolar disorder". Ashley was at the screening, and it was a real treat to see her in person during Q/A.

While her views of psychiatric disorders may differ somewhat from the conventional medical model, I was deeply inspired by her fighting spirit and her ability to utilize her "madness" for creative output (she's an accomplished artist as well) and empowerment of others. She sees her "madness" as a creative force, not as an illness.

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.