KUED ADDRESSES LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES WITH A NEW DOCUMENTARY

KUED, public television for Utah, airs a new documentary to bring awareness on mental health issues. On the Edge: Mental Health in Utah tells the eye-opening story of a mental health crisis being grossly ignored in Utah. Produced and directed by KUED’s Nancy Green and Sally Shaum, the one-hour documentary is the story of people diagnosed with severe mental illness and their struggle in a world that has little to offer in terms of care, support and resources.

“If you or someone you love is living with a serious mental illness, finding help can seem impossible,” says Green. “The mental health care system is a maze of public and private resources that can be difficult to access and navigate.”

An estimated 230,000 Utahans are in need of care yet are not receiving services. State and federal budget cuts threaten to cripple an already overburdened system. As our health care system fails, it’s often left to the criminal justice system to take up the slack. Many people with serious mental illness will face criminal charges and jail time, often for minor disturbances.

KUED’s On the Edge community outreach project has made a significant impact in Utah in following way:

• Help to destigmatize mental illness.
• Raise public awareness of mental health treatment issues in the state.
• Provide critical resources to individuals with mental illness and their families, as well as to caregivers and professionals who treat mental illness.

For additional information and resources, visit the On the Edge: Mental Health in Utah website here.

You can watch a video clip of On the Edge: Mental Health in Utah here:

To watch more videos, visit the On the Edge: Mental Health in Utah website here.