In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, WQED-TV will air ten insightful programs that focus on important issues and increase awareness of mental health in the region. Included is a Sunday afternoon block of back-to-back programming on May 23 from 3:00 to 8:00pm.
Mental Health Awareness Month programming on WQED is supported by Allegheny Family Network.
Below are the programs that will air throughout May:
Before Stage Four: Confronting Early Psychosis
Monday, May 3 at 7:30pm
Rebroadcast Tuesday, May 4 at midnight
First-time psychotic episodes are frightening, confusing and distressing for the entire family. Traditionally, teens and young adults experiencing first-episode psychosis (FEP) have been pulled out of schools and/or society – only to begin a lifelong journey of spotty treatment, recurring episodes, and unfulfilled hopes of a career, happy marriage, and children. But new research shows a significant success rate for people who receive proper, coordinated care after a first episode.
This documentary shows who is leading the FEP treatment movement, while families share personal stories of heartbreak, success and hope.
Rose’s Garden: Surviving My Mother’s Mental Illness
Monday, May 10 at 7:30pm
Rebroadcast Tuesday, May 11 at midnight
Rose Clancy plants gardens in urban areas that could use green space. Her work brings beauty to the neighborhoods, and it also brings healing to Rose. She was raised by a mother who suffered from mental illness, and now her gardens are helping her cope with memories of a troubled childhood while raising awareness of an issue that impacts millions. This documentary focuses on how mental illness affects not only the person with the illness, but everyone in the family.
Long Road Home
Thursday, May 13 at 8:00pm
Long Road Home focuses on the compelling stories of Pittsburgh area veterans coping and healing with the emotional wounds of war, whether from combat in Iraq, Vietnam, Korea or World War II.
The documentary also explores current treatments and research into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among returning veterans.
Bundle of Nerves: Our Anxiety Epidemic
Monday, May 17 at 7:30pm
Rebroadcast Tuesday, May 18 at midnight
Anxiety is among the most common, yet under-reported of all behavioral health issues. Forty million Americans suffer from anxiety and panic disorders. Through personal stories of those affected, this documentary examines the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. It also spotlights innovative initiatives that explore the issue in vulnerable populations.
Speaking Grief
Sunday, May 23 at 3:00pm
Moving away from the idea that grief is a problem that needs to be “fixed,” Speaking Grief validates the experience of grievers and guides those wishing to support them. There is no “right” way to grieve. By sharing diverse representations of bereavement, Speaking Grief illustrates that grief is a universal, yet individual experience.
Orchestrating Change
Sunday, May 23 at 4:00pm
This documentary tells the inspiring story of the Me2/Orchestra, the only orchestra in the world created by and for people living with mental illness and those who support them. Co-founded by Pittsburgh native Ronald Braunstein, once a world-renowned conductor whose career was shattered when his own diagnosis of bipolar disorder was made public, the mission of the orchestra is to erase stigma one concert at a time.
Losing Lambert: A Journey Through Survival and Hope
Sunday, May 23 at 5:30pm
Rebroadcast on Monday, May 24 at 7:30pm and Tuesday, May 25 at 12:30am
This documentary follows the emotional story of a Pittsburgh-area mother who lost her 16 year-old son to suicide. Kathy O’Hern Fowler would emerge as one of the region’s best-known advocates for “Survivors of Suicide.” The program also focuses on Pittsburgh research into suicide risk factors.
Uncertainty: Why We’re So Anxious About Anxiety
Sunday, May 23 at 6:30pm
This documentary explores anxiety disorders, including their prevalence, signs and symptoms, and why the conversation about mental health is so important.
Crazy
Sunday, May 23 at 7:00pm
This one-hour documentary follows Eric, a diagnosed schizophrenic faced with a critical choice – whether to comply with traditional mental health treatment or follow his own path to wellness. The documentary looks at involuntary treatment and explores the bigger issues and questions raised by this very personal experience.
About Allegheny Family Network
Allegheny Family Network provides individual and group support to families who are raising children with behavioral or mental health concerns. AFN staff’s “lived experiences” allows them to walk alongside parents helping families achieve their goals.
About WQED
WQED was an experiment in educational community-supported television that was the forerunner to PBS. Today, WQED is a multimedia powerhouse that is as much a part of Pittsburgh as the three rivers. WQED is WQED-TV (PBS); WQED World; WQED Create; WQED Showcase; WQED PBS KIDS Channel; Classical WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh; Classical WQEJ-FM 89.7/Johnstown; the Pittsburgh Concert Channel at WQED-HD2 (89.3-2FM) and online at www.wqed.org/fm; local and national television and radio productions; WQED Interactive (www.wqed.org) and WQED Education (www.wqed.org/edu).
