By Daily Press staff
It’s time to free your mind. It is estimated that one in every four people are affected by mental health issues varying from depression to bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. In Los Angeles County, that equates to millions, officials say.
“Free Your Mind Projects” has been developed through a public and private sector collaboration to provide free ongoing outreach to multicultural communities through events such as film screenings, concerts and public forums, in an effort to educate the public about mental illness.
The first in this series is “Out of the Shadow” by local filmmaker Susan Smiley. It is a documentary that chronicles the life of Millie Smiley, Susan’s mother.
The launch of Free Your Mind Projects coincides with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health’s (LACDMH) planning for use of funds from Proposition 63: The Mental Health Services Act, which passed last year, providing Los Angeles with additional funding for new and expanded mental health services.
Free Your Mind Projects is working with LACDMH to help get the word out about public hearings and community meetings that are coming up throughout the year so that the Los Angeles County community has the opportunity to recommend how the new mental health funds should be spent, according to officials.
There will be Free Your Mind Projects resources available at the Santa Monica Pier at the free screening of the film “Austin Powers” on Tuesday, Aug. 9, beginning at 7 p.m., and at the Santa Monica Pier on Aug. 18 during the Twilight Dance Series beginning at 7 p.m. Free Your Mind Projects will be ongoing throughout the year with new projects being launched in late September and October.
“Free Your Mind Projects” free screenings of “Out of the Shadow” are held Monday, Aug. 15, at Laemmle’s Monica 4-Plex at 1332 2nd St. in Santa Monica at 8 p.m., and Aug. 20 at Laemmle’s Fairfax 3, 7907 Beverly Blvd., Hollywood, at 11 a.m.
There will be free information and resources available at both locations from NAMI the Mental Health Association, and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. For more information, visit www.fymps.com
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 8, 2005. Read the original PDF.