MOSAIC Diversity Film and Theatre Festival presents “Celebrate Life"

[image:8259,left]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2013

For more information, please contact:
Babita L. Upadhyay, Special Projects Coordinator, IU Office of Multicultural Initiatives, 856.4929, [mailto:bupadhya@indiana.edu]
Craig Brenner, Special Projects Coordinator, City of Bloomington Department of Community and Family Resources, 349.3471, [mailto:brennerc@bloomington.in.gov]
Shameka Y. Neely, WTIU, [mailto:shyneely@indiana.edu]


MOSAIC Diversity Film and Theatre Festival presents "Celebrate Life: Suicide Prevention Film and Theatre Festival"

Bloomington, Ind. - The 2013 MOSAIC Diversity Film and Theatre Festival invites the public to attend "Celebrate Life: Suicide Prevention Film and Theatre Festival." The free event will be held from 10:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 at the Monroe County Public Library, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave.

The purpose of the event is to raise awareness about suicide prevention. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 10- to 12-year-olds and the second leading cause of death for college-aged adults, according to the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Celebrate Life: Suicide Prevention Film and Theatre Festival" includes a film screening, panel discussion, theater workshop, presentation and information fair. The showcased film, "A Cry for Help," is a documentary about teenage mental illness and suicide. It follows two high schools in Ohio and New York as they attempt to determine those students most at risk.

The panel discussion following the film will include panelists Yolanda Tandy, a mental illness advocate; David Norris, associate pastor at the City Church for All Nations; Sharlene Newman, an associate professor in the IU Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences; Ed Schwartzman, an advocate and parent of a suicide victim; and Jean Scallon, a representative from the Jason Foundation, an organization that raises awareness and promotes the prevention of youth suicide. The Jason Foundation is also sponsoring a 5K walk and run, with registration beginning at 8 a.m. on the B-Line Trail at College Ave. and Third St. All proceeds will support local suicide prevention efforts. Participants can sign up or view more information at [http://www.bloomingtonmeadows.com/events/|http://www.bloomingtonmeadows.com/events/].

Suicide also will be addressed in a theater workshop featuring Darrell Stone, who will guide a trio of actors in scenarios that reflect personal conflicts. The workshop will give the audience an opportunity to assist the characters as they work through their problems. A presentation from families who have lost loved ones to suicide will conclude the event. Throughout the day information about suicide prevention and coping and advice from trained professionals will be available. Limited complimentary lunches from Buffa Louie's will be provided.

The MOSAIC Diversity Film and Theatre Festival is sponsored by the City of Bloomington Department of Community and Family Resources. Support for "Celebrate Life" was provided by Bloomington Meadows Hospital, the IU Commission on Multicultural Understanding, the IU Office of Multicultural Initiatives, the Jason Foundation, the Monroe County Public Library and the Monroe County Suicide Prevention Coalition.

For more information, please contact Babita L. Upadhyay at [mailto:bupadhya@indiana.edu] or 856.4929, or Shameka Y. Neely at [mailto:shyneely@indiana.edu] or 349.3471.

###