About me
I am a person who lost two very important people in my life. My father who died in a drunk driving accident - he was driving. Thank God he did not hurt anyone else but he died instantly. My Grandmother believed my dad's death was a suicide. That has left me wondering for many years of his true intent.
The second is my best friend, Lynn, her death was a suicide.
Suicide and mental illness is not someone else's problem anymore. One or the other or both will affect someone you know. According to the world wide stats every 40 seconds someone will commit suicide with 90% of those cases stemming from mental illness. Does this shock you? Well it should! Helping to support this cause will not harm you but may save a life.
My aim is to bring the stigma of suicide out into the open to educate, discuss, encourage, break down barriers, make those who make the big decisions concerning health care SEE and CHANGE the current turnstile approach to mental health and suicide. Every 40 Seconds a person who is loved will commit suicide - EVERY 40 SECONDS!! This cap should be widening and not lessoning. Help NOW!! Get Involved!
I will be collecting stories until further notice. Please keep sending your stories
I am an Independent Filmmaker doing a documentary about the complexities of suicide.
My Story:
My best friend committed suicide on August 22, 2007. We were best friends since the age of 11. Lynn suffered from bipolar. Lynn's pain was so overwhelming that life for her could not be lived any longer. I thought she was back to herself and her attempts were a thing of the past. Lynn decided to end her life. I still mourn her. I miss her and cannot believe I will never see her again. I have never felt the experience of losing a loved one. I could not believe the pain, the enveloping sadness, the shock of it all.
I have been researching suicide since Lynn's death. I will be addressing the different points I would like to discuss in the documentary by speaking to those closely involved; psychiatrists, emergency room staff, psychiatric wards, people who have attempted, those who have lost loved ones to suicide, the connection between mental illness and suicide, the church, paramedics, the government, those who not only take their own lives but others as well, the stats, the silence, the stigma. My aim is to bring this all out into the open - educate, discuss, encourage, break down barriers, make those who make the big decisions concerning health care SEE and CHANGE their current turnstile approach to mental health and suicide. We have an epidemic that needs to be brought to the forefront NOW!
I have a background in filmmaking. I have started pre-production on this documentary.
Anyone who submits their story to me will remain confidential. If I do use a story or ask someone to be on camera I will only do so with permission. If someone wants to be interviewed, however wishes to remain anonymous, we can cover your identity.
If anyone wants to help in this extremely important cause I need your stories. I would also be grateful if supporters could post this note with link to this group to other groups, forums, websites etc. The more support I receive from people the better it is for me to show that despite the sensitive nature of the subject matter this documentary needs to be made.
If you are interested in becoming a benefactor in helping this film get made please email me.
All stories must be emailed to the address below.
Please email me at videogirlproductions08@gmail.com
For more info about the documentary and the status please go here:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33493683778
Tracey Rose
Videogirl Productions
http://www.videogirlproductions.com/ (still under construction)
