Back from Madness: The Struggle for Sanity

Thursday, September 19, 2002 – 7:30pm
USA 1996. Director: Kenneth Rosenberg

“Back From Madness” follows four psychiatric patients for one to two years, from the time of their first arrival at the Erich Lindemann Mental Health Center, an affiliate of Massachusetts General Hospital. The film contextualizes their present-day treatments with rare archival footage demonstrating how their conditions were treated in the past. On one level, “Back From Madness” offers a rare glimpse into what psychiatric treatment is like today at one of the world’s most famous hospitals. Beyond this, the film is about the patients themselves, and the inner strength that is required of them as they search for some relief from the severe mental illnesses they are coping with – schizophrenia, manic depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and suicidal depression. Colour, video, 53 mins.

The program will include:
A post-screening discussion with:
Dr. Kenneth Rosenberg A leading physician filmmaker who has been recognized with two Emmy Awards from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for his PBS and HBO films. Dr. Rosenberg is an Addiction Psychiatrist in private practice in New York City, and a Clinical Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Public Health at Cornell University. His films include “An Alzheimer’s Story,” “Drinking Apart: Families Under the Influence,” “Why Am I Gay: Stories of Coming Out in America” and “Cancer: Evolution to Revolution.” Dr. Rosenberg will be speaking with us via audio conference from his home in New York City.

A live theatrical performance by:
Victoria Maxwell An award-winning actress and writer with over 15 years of experience in theatre and film. In 1992, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Since then, she has become one of B.C.’s top speakers on the ‘lived’ experience of mental illness and recovery, depression in the workplace, and the healing power of humour. Victoria will perform a half-hour excerpt from her one-woman show, Crazy For Life. Victoria will be introduced by Barb Bawlf, CMHA-BC Division, Consumer Liaison, Peer Support.

Evening moderated by:
Dr. Harry Karlinsky Director of Continuing Medical Education and Professional Development, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia.

This evening is co-sponsored by the Canadian Mental Health Association – BC Division