The Misunderstood Epidemic: Depression

Airs Monday, October 4, 2010 at 11 p.m. on KPBS TV

Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul & Mary fame. In "The Misunderstood Epidemic: Depression," twelve Americans from all walks of life explain, in their own words, the realities of living with depression. 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.

Credit: IronZeal Films

Above: Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul & Mary fame. In "The Misunderstood Epidemic: Depression," twelve Americans from all walks of life explain, in their own words, the realities of living with depression. 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.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Support Groups/Resources

DBSA Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance

NAMI National Alliance on Mental Illness

MDSG Mood Disorders Support Group of New York City

MHA Mental Health America

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-SUICIDE

"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.

Video

Video Excerpt: The Misunderstood Epidemic: Depression

Above: "The Misunderstood Epidemic: Depression" is the newest documentary by filmmaker Susan Polis Schutz. It is an intimate look at how depression affects its victims and their families. It tells powerful stories of people who suffer the lowest depths of depression. The film explores through first-hand accounts that depression can happen to anyone regardless of age, race, or socioeconomic background.

Comments

Avatar image for user 'Hip'

Hip | October 16, 2010 at 10:50 p.m. ― 2 years, 7 months ago

Here is an angle on the cause of the depression epidemic that probably very few people will have even considered: many cases may be caused by an infectious agent.

I myself caught a virus (that also spread around my social connections), and without any doubt, precipitated mental state change in many of those who caught it. Increased susceptibly to stress occurred in many of the infectees. Fatigue, lethargy and depression were also common, as were increased memory problems. All suddenly appearing soon after catching this infection.

For those interested in this, see here:

Epidemic Depression Virus

Viruses in Perspective

I suspect that this virus I caught is a new enterovirus. Enteroviruses are very hard to detect once they have formed a long term infection in the host.

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Avatar image for user 'Hip'

Hip | October 16, 2010 at 10:52 p.m. ― 2 years, 7 months ago

For those interested in this Epidemic Depression Virus:

Google "Chronic Sore Throat / Mood Virus"

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