States of mind

With Britney Spears’ ongoing meltdown capturing daily headlines, mental illness is a major topic of current public debate.

Celebrity gossip aside, pop culture can actually provide an important two-way avenue for communicating about mental health issues, says Tim Krahn. A researcher with the Dalhousie-based Novel Tech Ethics team, Mr. Krahn organizes “States of Mind,” a free public film series exploring medical and moral dilemmas for a wide scope of mental illnesses.

“We’re hoping this can be a place where we can spark some informal discussions, where people can find their way into and perhaps through some of these issues,” says Mr. Krahn. “We’re also hoping to connect the research we do with those who have an interest in it, or who may be affected by it—people those of us as researchers need to listen and be responsive to.”

Lou Taylor Pucci stars as the thumbsucker in Thumbsucker. Film series Jan. 21 – Away From Her Jan. 28 – Awakenings Feb. 4 – What’s Eating Gilbert Grape Feb. 11 – Thumbsucker Screenings begin at 7 p.m. in the QEII Royal Bank Theatre, on the main floor of the Halifax Infirmary, 1796 Summer St. For details, speaker bios and suggested discussion points, see the Events section at www.noveltechethics.ca.

The four-part series starts Monday (Jan. 21) with Away From Her, fresh off the heels of Julie Christie’s Golden Globe win for her role as an Alzheimer’s patient adjusting to life in a nursing home. Next up on January 28 is Awakenings, based on the true story of Dr. Leonard Sayer (played by Robin Williams), who conducts experimental drug tests on his catatonic patients, including Leonard Lowe (played by Robert DeNiro).

February’s films grapple with mental health issues at home: What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, starring Johnny Depp as a young man caring for his obese mother and developmentally disabled teenage brother; and Thumbsucker, with Keanu Reeves and Lou Taylor Pucci in a story about licit and illicit drug use, ADD/ADHD and family dynamics.

Now in its second year, the annual series takes place in a Halifax Infirmary auditorium, purposely off-campus in order to engage the broader community. A discussion follows each film, with input from patient representatives and experts in mental and public health, psychiatry, psychology and bioethics.

Novel Tech Ethics is a joint research initiative involving Dalhousie’s Department of Bioethics and the Faculty of Medicine. Lynette Reid, assistant professor of bioethics, is a featured panelist at all four screenings. Joining her on Monday (Jan. 21) are Barbara Mulrooney, a volunteer with the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia, and Keri-Leigh Cassidy, a geriatric psychiatrist, assistant professor and clinical director of the Seniors Mental Health Team for the Capital District.

The film series generated diverse crowds and lively discussions last year, with Iris, A Beautiful Mind, The Hours and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Mr. Krahn adapted the idea from a similar series at Douglas Hospital, a psychiatric facility in Montreal.

“Mental health can be really difficult to address openly,” he says. “Unfortunately many people may not be able to admit when they’re having difficulties and it’s not easy, even to those who are already seeking help.”

Thus, the chosen films explore recognizable conditions that should resonate with local audiences. The series aims to inform and educate people, he adds, while also offering a sounding board responding to community concerns about mental health.