A documentary will premier in Buffalo Tuesday called CRAZYWISE. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley the Mental Health Advocates of Western New York will host the screening at the North Park Theater followed by a panel discussion.
"This cracks open dimensions of the mental health conversation that might have been missing,” said Ken Houseknecht, executive director, Mental Health Advocates of Western New York.
Houseknecht tells WBFO News this independent film will distinguished the way we here in America handle mental health issues compared to other parts of the world.
“And we’ve responded, particularly 40 or 50 years, very much in a medical model. Heavily dependent on medications, but what the film makers are talking about is that in other cultures and in this culture, prior to the last 40 or 50 years, there was a much more holistic view of the human being. There were the social components, there were the physical components, there were the religious components,” Houseknecht explained.
This film actually examines how a psychological crisis can be transformed into a positive experience. It talks about a “broken brain”.
“Many cultures view those people as the wise people,” Houseknecht said. “Those are the people who have insight in the non-physical world into the spiritual world.”
Houseknecht said it's not about taking a position for or against treatment of mental illness, but instead it allows the community to have an open discussion. Four panelist will lead a local discussion following the film and those who attend the screening are encouraged to join the conversation with the panel. CRAZYWISE begins at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the North Park Theater. Tickets are $10 with all proceeds to go to the Mental Health Advocates of Western New York.