Award-Winning Documentary on Schizophrenia to be Screened at Mental Health Meeting in San Francisco

Award-Winning Documentary on Schizophrenia to be Screened at Mental Health Meeting in San Francisco

'Out of the Shadow' Filmmaker Will Share Family Experience and Discuss Barriers to Care

SAN FRANCISCO, March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The award-winning documentary Out of the Shadow, which illuminates the national plight of schizophrenia through one family's struggle, will be shown at the annual training conference of the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare on Monday, March 14 at 4:30 p.m. PST. The audience at this national conference will consist of more than 1000 mental health and substance abuse providers.

The making of Out of the Shadow was a personal journey for director/producer Susan Smiley, whose mother Millie lives with schizophrenia. The film, an official selection at the Vancouver Film Festival and SILVERDOCS: the AFI/Discovery Channel Film Festival, offers a frank look at this complex disease, dispels stigmas and misconceptions surrounding schizophrenia, and presents the challenges Smiley's family has faced while navigating the public health system.

Schizophrenia is a serious brain disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels and acts. More than 2 million people in the United States have schizophrenia, and 2 to 3 percent of California's adult population (486,000 to 728,000) have a severe persistent mental illness such as schizophrenia.

"Viewers of Out of the Shadow will leave the film with a heightened understanding of the illness and the realization that all people with schizophrenia should have access to safe, stable housing, job coaching, other psychosocial services, and the latest advances in medication technology," said Smiley.

Following the screening, Smiley will discuss the film and important issues including:

* Access -- to ensure that all people living with schizophrenia have access to integrated services and the latest and most-effective medications and treatments they need; * Understanding -- to raise public awareness of schizophrenia and reduce the stigma associated with this harrowing disease; and * Recovery -- Although there is no cure for schizophrenia, with comprehensive psychosocial support including housing, job training, counseling, and proper medication, people with this illness can learn a new way to live a satisfying and productive life.

"Out of the Shadow offers valuable insights to mental health professionals in a way that textbooks cannot," said Linda Rosenberg, MSW, CSW, President and CEO of The National Council. "This film is a 'must-see' and a call-to-action for policy decision makers who can gain critical new insights into schizophrenia and the challenges families face when navigating the public health system."

Sponsored by The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare and supported by Janssen Pharmaceutica Products, L.P., the screening is open to meeting registrants, media and the public on a first-come, first-served basis.

Additional resources can be found at: http://www.outoftheshadow.com/http://www.mentalwellness.com/http://www.nami.org/

About NCCBH (http://www.nccbh.org/) -- The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare is the oldest and largest community behavioral health trade association representing the providers of mental health, substance abuse and developmental disability services. Our members serve more than 4.5 million adults, children and families each year and employ more than 250,000 staff.

About Janssen -- Based in Titusville, N.J., Janssen Pharmaceutica Products, L.P., currently markets prescription medications for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. For more information, visit http://www.janssen.com/ .

CONTACT: Nicole Barsamian Barsamian Associates (212) 595-5749

Source: Janssen Pharmaceutica Products, L.P.

CONTACT: Nicole Barsamian of Barsamian Associates, +1-212-595-5749

Web site: http://www.outoftheshadow.com/ http://www.mentalwellness.com/ http://www.nami.org/ http://www.nccbh.org/

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