The Williams Lake Library continues its CBC documentary film series on Wednesday, Jan. 19 with the film Racing Thoughts.
Racing Thoughts is a film about children who thought they were “crazy;” who wanted to die; who felt fear, anger and hopelessness.
“Mental illness,” “madness” — even the words commonly used to describe their conditions are frightening.
It is hard to face the fact that a child or teenager is living with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or some other behavioral disorder, and needs help.
Mental illness is still very much a social taboo, and those affected often choose silence for fear of being judged.
David, Blanche Véronique, Brandon, Erynn and their loved ones have made the courageous decision to open up about their stories.
Their voices are complemented by that of the director, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder as an adult and powerfully evokes the initial symptoms, which emerged in her childhood.
Racing Thoughts skirts the specialists’ debates in favour of a more personal tone, moving away from the alarming vocabulary of diagnoses and allowing viewers to discover the children affected.
The film starts at 7 p.m. in the library program room. Admission is free and includes popcorn.
For further information contact Caroline Derksen, area librarian, at cderksen@cari boord.bc.ca or 250-392-3630.