“There’s a lot of hope, because there are a lot of families
that live with mental illness and have very good lives.” Janice Holmes, Lead
Family Advocate, TMHA
“The stories in this film made me realize how painful mental
illness is for the families…” Neil Travis, Academy Award-Winning Film
Editor (Dances With Wolves)
The Shaken Tree:
Families Living with Mental Illness
.
If you experience any difficulty viewing the video clip, please click
here.
Our lives are made of myriad experiences – some we treasure, some we try to
forget. As family members who have loved ones with a mental illness, we hold
tight our good memories and look to others for help through difficult times. Sadly,
the stigma of mental illness extends to family members, and the support we so
desperately need – support that would otherwise be offered if our family member
had a “normal” illness – just isn’t always there.
Join us for a retelling of our lives. We are the families of those who live with
mental illness. We have faced discrimination as parents. We have worked with our
siblings toward recovery. As partners and spouses, we’ve learned that love has
many meanings. These are our journeys of despair, hope and survival.
The Shaken Tree wins
“Central Coast Filmmakers Showcase - Best Film 30 min. and Under”
Click
here to request information about upcoming showings of
The Shaken Tree: Families Living With Mental Illness.
Click here to see a large printable version of
The Shaken Tree flyer.
Comments emailed from viewers to Mary Garcia-Lemus,
Film Director:
“I just wanted to let you know I got the chance to see your
documentary. …We even got the chance to meet the woman who is in
it [Janice Holmes, Lead Family Advocate] that works at Transitions
Mental Health. It was awesome to get to hear more about her story
and about the documentary in general. The Shaken Tree was so
powerful, it definitely gave me chills and opened my eyes to
many more aspects of mental health and the toll it takes. You
and everyone who worked on it did an awesome job, and it’s so
great to hear that it is being given so many awards and
honors! You undoubtedly deserve it. Hope all is going
well, and I look forward to seeing the next edition!” - Erin M.
“I just wanted to tell you that we watched the video
you made on mental illness from the families perspective today
in a meeting at work… The video was done amazingly well and
really spoke truth in a way that was able to reach everyone
here from the Admin staff to the Social Workers. As a family
member of someone who has been struggling with a mental
illness for as long as I can remember, I just wanted to
say thank you to you and your husband [José Mejia Lemus, Producer]
and everyone else who made that film possible! Thank You!!” – Jenn B.
“I wish everyone in the
community could see The Shaken Tree - it is terrific.” -
Julia Miller, Program Manager, Adult Services, County Department
of Social Services, San Luis Obispo, CA
