“Out of Sight” Screening to be Held at ESU

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Posted by: Elizabeth Richardson on September 19, 2018, No Comments

The Department of Counseling and Psychological Services, University Health Services, and Wellness and Prevention have arranged for the screening of “Out of Sight”, a groundbreaking documentary that demystifies non-suicidal self-injurious behavior in people who struggle with mental health disorders including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. The documentary will be screened on September 25 at 7 p.m. in the Abeloff Performing Arts Center. In 2016, “Out of Sight” was awarded The Voice Award Honorable Mention and Best Feature Film at the Southside Film Festival and was the official selection of the International Film Festival World Cinema Nice in 2017.

“This documentary is an important contribution about a behavior often hard to understand, and even more difficult for people to speak about,” said Linda Van Meter, Ph.D., director of counseling and psychological services. “Only when we can start to talk about the unspeakable can we move forward in reducing the stigma and shame associated with mental health disorders.”

“Out of Sight” features a series of gripping interviews with adult survivors, adolescents, educators, parents, and mental health professionals. The screening will conclude with a question and answer session. “This program is being held in September, National Suicide Awareness and Prevention month to promote mental health education, to increase awareness about mental health and reduce the stigma of mental illness,” Dr. Van Meter said. “It also gives us the opportunity to encourage students on our campus to access the available counseling services on campus.”

Prior to the screening, at 6 p.m. there will be “Miles in our Shoes” awareness walk on campus. The walk is sponsored by the ESU chapter of Active Minds, a student organization that promotes mental health awareness, whose mission is to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, and encourage help seeking counseling services to students.

The walk and the screening of “Out of Sight” are open to the public at no cost. The first 300 students to complete a survey following the movie will receive a “Hold On You Matter” t-shirt.

For more information contact Dr. Van Meter at 570-422-3277, or lvanmeter@esu.edu.