Premiering tonight at the Loft Theater for  one night only is the awarding winning documentary “Of Two Minds.”  The director will be available after the showing for questions and answers as well as a panel consisting of a local psychiatrist, a person living with Bipolar and a family member.  Sponsored in part by The Aurora Foundation of Southern Arizona.  The film begins at 7pm with Q and A afterwards.  A DVD of the film will also be available.  I’ll provide my “review” tomorrow.

 

OF TWO MINDS puts an authentic human face on bipolar, providing an intimate and stigma-busting look at those who live in its shadows – our parents and children, our friends and lovers… and ourselves ONE SHOW ONLY MAY 14TH AT 7 PM! LIVE PANEL Q&A AFTER THE FILM! Tickets & Info at: www.loftcinema.com/film/of-two-minds/

 

  Some of you may think I’m jumping to conclusions, but really, do we need an “arms race” in our schools?

The recent suggestion from the NRA to have armed guards in our schools as an answer to increasing gun violence is beyond ridiculous.  “Fight fire with fire” seems to be their mantra.  Well, I have a better one.  “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind,” – Gandhi.

It makes about as much sense as the law in Arizona that allows people to carry firearms in bars!  Great, “let’s get all liquored up” and and start playing with guns!  Ugh!  Am I the only one that doesn’t understand this mentality?  Don’t get me wrong, I totally support the second amendment, except when it comes to ballistic missiles, 30 round magazines, and other weapons of mass destruction. I understand wanting to protect yourself, but really?  What has happened to common sense? What about fences and security gates like most of the high schools have?

Devastating shootings like the one that occurred in Newtown last month or the one that occurred here on January 8th two years ago need to stop.  There has to be an answer other than putting more guns out there.  As a mental health advocate, I want more education in schools, community groups, businesses, and organizations about the realities of mental illness.  Everyone aggrees that a person who literally mowes down innocents with a high capacity gun needs to have his “head examined.”

Let the conversation start here……One in four families are effected by mental illness.  Treatment success rates for depression go as high as 90%.  One in eight teens experience depression, yet only 20% of them seek treatment. Even treatment success rates for schizophrenia are very high! Should people with a mental illness diagnosis be restricted from gun use?  Not necessarily, but let’s talk about it!

These are the topics of discussion we should be having.  Answers may not come as quickly as the “solution” from the NRA, but increasing arms in our schools is preposterous. The last thing our babies need is an increase in violence and an “eye for an eye” mentality.

The Daniel Moreno Awards Dinner and Silent Auction is scheduled for September 7, 2012 at Skyline Country Club. The Awards are given to individuals and/or organizations in the area that promote through their actions the advancement of mental health recovery. In past years individuals were recognized with the Daniel Moreno Recovery Award for being a person that signifies the reality and promise of mental health recovery. This year, the family of Daniel Moreno, who died much too early after being diagnosed with schizophrenia decided to expand the awards and additionally recognize a person or organization that represents the other categories of advocacy, education and direct service provider in the behavioral health community.

In addition to the silent auction and dinner, the evening will include a presentation ceremony and keynote speech from Dr. Jose Apud, Clinical Director of the Schizophrenia Research Program at the National Institutes of Mental Health.  Dr. Nicholas Breitborde will also provide an update on the new Epicenter (Early Psychosis Intervention Center) at the UPH South Campus.

The event was founded in 2007 in an effort by the Daniel Moreno Family to increase awareness about mental health recovery and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.  Ten local individuals have previously been selected to receive the Daniel Moreno Recovery Award.  The 2012 Recovery Award will be presented to Sarah Martin, the Advocate Award will be presented to Neal Cash, CPSA CEO/President, the Educator Award to Peter Likins, President Emeritus of the University of Arizona and Adreinne Sainz, LMSW, Clinician at La Frontera will receive the Direct Service Provider. More information about the recipients will be provided over the next month on this blog.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Aurora Foundation, a local non-profit dedicated to advancing disability justice and the newly formed Southern Arizona Suicide Prevention Coalition.  For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit the website at: www.planetaurora.org