Glenn Close Narrates Groundbreaking New Documentary That Shatters Misconceptions About Mental Illness

LOS ANGELES, May 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning actress and mental health advocate Glenn Close will narrate "A New State of Mind: Ending the Stigma of Mental Illness," an inspiring documentary that tells the stories of everyday people to shatter myths about mental illness, highlighting the struggles faced by those with mental health challenges, and their hope, resilience and recovery.

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One in four American adults suffers from a diagnosable mental health illness in any given year, but many don't seek help because of fear of judgment, isolation and discrimination.

Through the stories of real Californians, viewers of "A New State of Mind" will come to understand that mental health challenges are more common than they think, that they can be managed and that recovery is possible. Elyn Saks, professor of law at the USC Gould School of Law and author, former U.S. Congressman Patrick Kennedy and five-time Olympic medalist diver Greg Louganis are among the many subjects profiled in the hour-long documentary.

Ms. Close is a dedicated mental health advocate, having founded a national anti-stigma campaign, Bring Change 2 Mind in partnership with The Balanced Mind Foundation, Fountain House, and Garen & Shari Staglin of the International Mental Health Research Organization (IMHRO). The idea for Bring Change 2 Mind was born when Ms. Close volunteered at Fountain House in order to learn more about mental illness, which both her sister, Jessie Close, and nephew, Calen Pick, live with.

"The toxic stigma around mental illness can be as painful as the illness itself," said Ms. Close. "It's crucial that these diverse and powerful stories are told and shared so that everyone realizes that mental illness touches us all. No one need struggle in isolation, silence and shame. Listening and having the courage to join the conversation will save lives."

 "A New State of Mind: Ending the Stigma of Mental Illness" is produced by KVIE, Sacramento's PBS station, as part of a comprehensive statewide effort to increase the number of people who seek early help for mental challenges by reducing stigma and discrimination around mental illness. It is a Prevention and Early Intervention program of California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), an organization of county governments working together to improve mental health outcomes for individuals, families, and communities, and funded by the voter-approved California Mental Health Services Act (Prop. 63).

The documentary will air on PBS stations across California during primetime on May 30. Regional airtimes are listed below.

To learn more about "A New State of Mind: Ending the Stigma of Mental Illness" and California's mental health movement, visit EachMindMatters.org.

About the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA)
CalMHSA is an organization of county governments working to improve mental health outcomes for individuals, families and communities. Prevention and Early Intervention programs implemented by CalMHSA are funded through the voter-approved Mental Health Services Act (Prop 63). Prop. 63 provides the funding and framework needed to expand mental health services to previously underserved populations and all of California's diverse communities.

About Prevention and Early Intervention
Prevention and Early Intervention initiatives are voter-approved Prop. 63-funded programs aimed at preventing suicides, reducing stigma and discrimination, and improving student mental health. These initiatives transform California's mental health services approach by uniting California's diverse communities to embrace mental wellness and delivering the tools individuals need before they reach the crisis point. They are implemented as a coordinated effort by California's counties for maximum statewide impact and cost effectiveness.

The Stigma and Discrimination Reduction initiative uses a full range of Prevention and Early Intervention strategies to confront the fundamental causes of stigmatizing attitudes and discriminatory and prejudicial actions toward people with mental illness, across ages and backgrounds.

SOURCE California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA)