"The Misunderstood Epidemic: Depression" explores the difficulties faced by those coping with varying levels of depression. Twelve Americans from all walks of life explain, in their own words, the realities of living with depression: the symptoms, thoughts of suicide, the stress it puts on families and relationships, the loss of ability to work, the stigma associated with it, and the pros and cons of different treatment methods. Their compelling first-person accounts, along with engaging interviews with their family members and friends, reveal how this bio-chemical imbalance cuts across racial, ethnic and socio-economic lines.
The inspiration for this documentary came from Susan Polis Schutz’s own experience with depression. Susan kept a journal while struggling to overcome depression. That journal was the basis for Susan’s recent book, "Depression and Back: A Poetic Journey Through Depression and Recovery." The film and book will help people understand depression, give them hope, and show them that they are not alone.
