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Film explores veterans' mental health

Record-Eagle, The (Traverse City, MI) - 9/2/2015

Sept. 02--TRAVERSE CITY -- Local mental health professionals and veteran advocates hope a free documentary screening will shed light on what it's like to live with trauma-induced mental illness.

The State Theatre in Traverse City will show "Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1" on Sept. 8 at 5:30 p.m. in partnership with Northern Lakes Community Mental Health and Third Level Crisis Center.

The film profiles the men and women who work the 24-hour Veterans' Crisis Line and provide support to veterans and active-duty troops struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression and addiction, or contemplating suicide.

The movie was featured at this year's Traverse City Film Festival and won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short.

"In this country about 22 veterans die by suicide every day," Third Level's Crisis Services Manager Mickie Jannazzo said. "This Academy Award-winning documentary highlights their plight."

Cynthia Petersen of Northern Lakes Community Mental Health helped coordinate the event. She said officials try to put on a film screening that explores mental health issues once a year as a way to reach broader audiences and spur conversation about suicide prevention.

"It's not only for our American veterans, but it's also for families and people that have faced or experienced trauma," Petersen said. "It will certainly be talking about awareness and suicide prevention, too."

A panel of local experts will be on hand after the showing to answer audience questions and provide information about the region's suicide prevention services.

The panel will include Jannazzo, Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Emergency Services Supervisor Bradley Will, Munson Medical Center Behavioral Health Director Terri LaCroix-Kelty, A Matter of Honor Executive Director and retired Army Nurse Corps Lt. Col. Linda Fletcher, and Sharleen Gray with the VA Medical Center in Saginaw.

Third Level Crisis Center also is hosting an awareness, prevention and remembrance walk on Sept. 12.

"People can walk, learn about suicide and its prevention and talk together," Jannazzo said. "This is an ongoing challenge to raise awareness and reduce stigma and encourage all folks who need assistance to seek help."

The walk begins and ends at the Civic Center. Registration is free and begins at 10 a.m. with the walk starting at 11 a.m.

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(c)2015 The Record-Eagle (Traverse City, Mich.)

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