Vermont Business Magazine On Friday, April 29, Howard Center will join with more than 120 communities throughout the world that will present local screenings of the documentary Healing Voices. The goal of the “OneNight, OneVoice” screening is to create a global community dedicated to promoting awareness and creating action around the critical social issue of mental health. Howard Center staff Sandra Steingard, MD, Sean Lynch, and Matt Bousquet will participate in a panel discussion immediately following the film.
The feature-length documentary explores the experiences commonly labeled as psychosis or mental illness through highlighting three individuals who are working to overcome extreme mental states and integrate these experiences into their lives in meaningful ways. The film follows the individuals for nearly five years, and their experiences and stories challenge us to rethink our cultural understanding of mental illness.
Dr. Steingard praises the film and says, “Healing Voices is a wonderfully significant film which supports my own journey as a psychiatrist who has reconsidered much of the standard accepted knowledge in my field. I have come to recognize that we are failing people if we just give them labels and offer treatment based on a flawed diagnostic system. This film does not offer a pro- or anti- medication message, it is a pro- listening to the person and respecting his/her voice message.”
The film will be shown at the Main Street Landing Black Box Theater, Burlington, Vermont, at 6:00 p.m. with the panel discussion immediately following the screening. Admission is free and seating is available on a first-come, first served basis.
Howard Center offers life-saving professional crisis and counseling services to children and adults; supportive services to individuals with autism and developmental disabilities who need help with education, employment, and life maintenance skills; counseling and medical services for those struggling with substance use disorders, and intensive interventions and supports for adults with serious and persistent mental health challenges. Last year we helped more than 16,000 people. Howard Center is a funded agency of the United Way of Chittenden County.