Press Release

Contact: Denise Stennis - Development
  (708) 383-7500, x. 319
   
  May 22, 2008

Free Screening of Award Winning Film “Canvas” at Lake Theater

Family Service & Mental Health Center of Oak Park & River Forest, Metro Suburban NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) and Pillars Community Services will present a free screening of the movie Canvas,” winner of several film festival awards at the Lake Theater in Oak Park on Saturday June 21, at 9:30 a.m.“Canvas” staring Joe Pantolliano and Marcia Gay Harden, is a touching story about how a family copes with a family member who struggles in her recovery from a mental illness.  Ten year old Chris Marino played by Deven Gearheart plays the son of a mother whose life is impacted by schizophrenia, who just wants to be “normal” like everyone else.  

Directed by Joseph Greco, “Canvas” was inspired by his personal experiences.  “I wanted to make a film about mental illness that was not only true to my experience but  also universal…Not everyone grows up with a parent that is suffering from schizophrenia but everyone knows what it’s like to be embarrassed, angry and frustrated by a family member,” states Greco.  (Rated PG-13)  A brief discussion will follow with Dr. Ann Sarpy, Family Service Staff Psychiatrist and Medical Director, Diane Gilliard, LCPC, CADC, Pillars Senior Therapist, and Angela Priestly to further discuss the impact of mental illness and the recovery process. 

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration over the past 40 years Americans have acquired a greater and more sophisticated knowledge of mental illness.  However, even with a gain in knowledge, the stigma of having a mental illness is getting worse, not better.  Family Service and NAMI have embarked on a two year campaign to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, and create awareness and understanding to a wider community of persons.  The free screening of “Canvas” is a part of the collaboration between Family Service, NAMI and Pillars in hopes to encourage positive dialogue and erode the stigma of mental illness. 

You can look forward to other programs as part of a two year Campaign for Mental Health Recovery.  Sponsorship of this and other programs is provided by the Community Mental Health Board, Town of Oak Park, and the River Forest Mental Health Committee.

ABOUT FAMILY SERVICE:

Family Service and Mental Health Center of Oak Park & River Forest is at the forefront of behavioral healthcare in the Chicago metropolitan area and provides a comprehensive array of mental health and wellness programs to address a variety of needs.  Family Service is located in the Ray A. Kroc Center for Family Services, 120 S. Marion Street, Oak Park, IL 60302.  Additional information about the programs and services of Family Service is available by calling (708) 383-7500, and at www.familyserviceoprf.org.

Family Service & Mental Health Center of Oak Park and River Forest
120 South Marion Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302
Tel: (708) 383-7500 Fax: (708) 383-7780