In filmmaking there are hours — sometimes hundreds of hours — of footage that never makes it into the film. If Director Lisa Klein had it her way, the film would probably just be hundreds of hours long. But since she was overruled, we knew we had to share these stories in a new way.
When it comes to suicide, we just can’t afford to leave these critical conversations on the cutting room floor.
Welcome to the #SWordStories. We bring you ‘Stories’ and ‘Voices,’ personal essays and short videos speaking up about suicide from attempt survivors, experts, plus the ‘Latest News’ as we head out on the road to spread The S Word.
’13 Reasons Why Not’ is a collection of personal stories from people who have lived through suicidal thoughts. The name is coined from a controversial Netflix original series, 13 Reasons Why.
Join the conversation and follow along with the #SWordStories on Facebook and Instagram.
Kelechi Ubozoh, featured in the THE S WORD, is a Nigerian-American facilitator, writer, advocate, and public speaker with over a decade of experience working in the California mental health field in the areas of research and advocacy, community engagement, suicide prevention, and peer support. She began her career as an investigative reporter and was the [...]
We’ve been fortunate to have a great partnership with Good Docs, allowing our film to reach a wide and diverse audience over the years. The feedback from screenings across the United States and internationally continues to inspire us. Amy Chandler who is a professor of the sociology of health and illness at the University of Edinburgh, [...]
Northeast Ohio Medical University screened THE S WORD during their Campus Safety and Suicide Prevention Symposium: Cultivating Caring Campuses. Director Lisa Klein had the honor of moderating the panel discussion that followed the screening. The film and discussion were open to students, staff, faculty, and community organizations not attending the full-day symposium. About OPCSMH: "Our [...]
In support of National Suicide Prevention Month, there was a free community screening of THE S WORD presented by The Erick A Garcia You Are Enough Foundation at City of Hope in Lancaster, California on Saturday, September 9th. Director Lisa Klein, Jean Toh from the film and a panel of local mental health professionals conducted [...]
THE S WORD director, Lisa Klein, recently wrote an essay for Mindsite News about her mother, Jackie Klein, who was a journalist for more than 50 years in Southfield, Michigan. Jackie was “the voice of Southfield.” As we close out Mental Health Awareness Month, this story is a reflection on the ambiguities of love and [...]
Leah Harris, who was highlighted in THE S WORD, is featured in this month's Passengers Journal with her story "Built to Last." Passengers Journal is an online and fully-voiced literary and visual arts publication that seeks artists whose work challenges and perhaps offends the norms of our structurally oppressive society. Below is the introduction and [...]
Lisa Klein, director of THE S WORD, had the pleasure of speaking to the Carson High School Performing and Media Arts students recently. Lisa spoke about THE S WORD, the inspiration behind making the film and what she hoped to achieve with its release. Additionally, Lisa shared what it's like to be a film director, [...]
THE S WORD director, Lisa Klein, was interviewed by Paula Fontenelle for her podcast Understand Suicide. Paula Fontenelle was a noted journalist, a published author, and public relations professional working with high profile politicians and organizations across Brazil when her father took his life in 2005. As a former journalist, her first instinct on the path [...]
Lisa Klein and Doug Blush recently did an interview at KUCI Irvine. Isha Gupta is the host of Being Aware with Isha on Air, a Public Affairs Show that broadcasts weekly on KUCI 88.9 FM Irvine (the University of California, Irvine's radio station). The show spreads awareness on a variety of societal concerns and features [...]
THE S WORD director, Lisa Klein, wrote an article for State of Mind on Slate.com recently. State of Mind is a partnership of Slate and Arizona State University that offers a practical look at our mental health system—and how to make it better. My Mother's Ghostbuster Boyfriend: Haunted by three suicides and an overdose, my [...]
We're excited to share that THE S WORD is now streaming for free on the Documentary+ platform. We are grateful to our friends at Documentary+ for the great venue to continue showing the powerful stories of those who've dealt with suicide and so many who can now tell their paths of survival and triumph. [...]
MadPix Films co-founders Lisa Klein and Doug Blush have partnered with the Port Townsend Film Festival to offer The Art of Documentary Film Creation. The online documentary filmmaking seminar will be taught by Lisa and Doug who are PTFF’s 2021 Filmmakers-in-Residence (remotely, this year!). The goal of the nine-week class is to give students a [...]
Thank you to Kelechi Ubozoh, who is featured in The S Word, for allowing us to share her blog post entitled Behind The Documentary. Kelechi posted this piece on the release of The S Word on Prime Video. Kelechi is a Mental Health Consultant, Writer and Public Speaker. For more information, visit her website. Here's [...]
Dear Twelve-Year-Old Callay, The first thing I want to tell you is that in the next eight years you are going to learn a lot about yourself. I am not going to lie to you and say the next eight years of your life are going to be peaches and rainbows because they are not. [...]
Lisa recently did an interview with Rachel Steinman who hosts the Dear Family podcast. Rachel is a teacher, writer and mental health advocate. As described by Rachel, "Dear Family, is a love letter about our complicated families and achieving mental wellness." Listen to the full interview for Lisa’s personal experience with multi-generation suicide in her [...]
From Director Lisa Klein: September is National Suicide Prevention Month, which creates more awareness within the general public, a good thing. But I have long held the belief that it's equally important to keep this momentum going throughout the other 11 months of the year. When I read this blog by Des I asked to share [...]
Take your best day and your darkest moment…and multiply it by a million. OF TWO MINDS is an award-winning feature documentary that explores the extraordinary lives, struggles and successes of a few of the over five million Americans living with bipolar disorder. Personal stories of harrowing events, medical mazes, discrimination and the efforts of social [...]
Kelechi Ubozoh, featured in THE S WORD, and LD Green will be sharing readings from their recently published book, We've Been Too Patient: Voices from Radical Mental Health. They feel their experience with their own mental health has given them each heightened capacity to navigate a shifting world with resilience and grace. Join us for [...]
Hi, I just wanted to reach out and say THE S WORD team is thinking about you, our S WORD community, and hope that everyone is healthy and safe in their homes. Or outside walking or running or whatever helps you deal with this unprecedented time in our lives. Isolation is a weird thing - [...]
Director Lisa Klein and Craig Miller, who is featured in THE S WORD, brought the film to Lithuania last year through the American Film Showcase, a film diplomacy program organized by the U.S. Department of State and the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. While in Lithuania, Craig sat down for an interview [...]
MECCA (Multi-Ethnic Collaborative of Community Agencies), in collaboration with the Be Well OC Suicide Prevention initiative, hosted a screening of THE S WORD on Saturday, January 17 in Orange County, CA. MECCA, a collective impact coalition working to eliminate ethnic and racial disparities and improve the quality of life for underserved multi-ethnic communities, sought to [...]
On Saturday, January 18, a community showing of THE S WORD was held at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine. The screening was part of the American Film Showcase, a film diplomacy program organized by the U.S. Department of State and the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. AFS brings award-winning, contemporary films [...]
Our very own Dese'Rae Stage and her Live Through This project were recently featured in People Magazine. The full-length piece includes background information on Des and the organization, as well as some of her portraits of attempt survivors, accompanied by their stories. Hopefully readers will walk away with a better understanding of suicide after hearing [...]
In this conversation, Craig Miller, Kelechi Ubozoh, Wilma Townsend and Keris Myrick discuss longstanding misconceptions regarding mental illness.
Lisa took The S Word to Pittsburgh, PA recently for a screening organized by UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital. The standing-room-only audience participated in a spirited post-screening conversation that emphasized peer to peer support. One special highlight of the evening was an impromptu performance by panelist Jamie Kunning, who performed a heartfelt rendition on the ukulele [...]
Keris Myrick, Wilma Townsend, Amelia Lehto and Dr. Bill Schmitz discuss how social media fits into the suicide prevention dialogue.
In this 3-part conversation, Kelechi Ubozoh, attorney Skip Simpson and Leah Harris share their thoughts on the value of hope in otherwise dire circumstances.
Kelechi Ubozoh, who is featured in The S Word, and L. D. Green are the co-editors of a new book titled We’ve Been Too Patient: Voices from Radical Mental Health--Stories and Research Challenging the Biomedical Model. A collection of 25 unflinching stories and essays from the front lines of the radical mental health movement. While [...]
In this 3-part conversation, Kelly Davis, Dr. Bill Schmitz and Cara Anna discuss the value of lived experience for suicide prevention.
In this 3-part conversation, Iden Campbell McCollum, Dr. April Foreman and Leah Harris analyze the failures of the medical model.
Our very own Kelechi Ubozoh traveled to Rochester, NY to be a part of the 11th Annual Reel Mind Theater and Film Series. This month-long festival features films, performances and discussions that address the social stigma of mental illness and behavioral disorders, while providing a message of hope that recovery is possible. THE S WORD [...]
In this 3-part conversation, Andrew Solomon, Dr. Kita Curry and Katie Hardy discuss the influence of the media on suicide prevention.
In advance of screening The S Word for Connect Summit County in Park City, Utah, Lisa was interviewed by Tim Henney for his show The Mountain Life. The free community screening will be held on May 14th. For more information, visit our event page. You can listen to the full interview here. Lisa also did an [...]
I never thought I would see my 18th birthday. If you had asked me on my 15th birthday if I saw myself living to be an adult, I would have said no. I am writing this a week after my 18th birthday. I am happy, healthy, and strong. Here is the story of how I [...]
In this 3-part conversation, Kelechi Ubozoh, Janet Bivens, Leah Harris and Dr. John Draper discuss how anyone can be there for someone when they are struggling - not just mental health professionals.
Craig Miller and I brought THE S WORD to Lithuania through the American Film Showcase, a film diplomacy program organized by the U.S. Department of State and the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. The trip was beyond any and all expectations I may have had going in. Lithuania is a country with [...]
In this 3-part conversation, Kelechi Ubozoh, Dr. Craig J. Bryan and Wilma Townsend discuss the life-saving significance of talking to someone about your struggles.
The S Word is proud to be a part of The Talks at Google program which brings speakers of all stripes to Google headquarters for talks centering on their area of expertise and capturing the popular and intellectual zeitgeist of the day. Director Lisa Klein and Ann Taylor, who is featured in The S Word, [...]
In this 3-part conversation, Dr. Kita Curry, Dr. Bill Schmitz and Leah Harris discuss the fear amongst professionals regarding suicide intervention.
In this 3-part conversation, Dese'Rae Stage, Kelechi Ubozoh, Dr. John Draper and Shari Sinwelski discuss the often life-saving importance of asking for help.
Everyone has their one “go-to” person. You know, the person you call when you’re happy, sad, angry, bored, scared and everything else in-between. The person who listens when you need it, talks when you don’t want to and believes in you when you have a hard time believing in yourself. For my entire life, this [...]
In this 3-part conversation, “Our Stories,” psychologist Dr. Bill Schmitz and attempt survivor and mental health advocates Craig Miller and Leah Harris talk about how life can change and we can come back from the bottom, with a focus on connection and societal change.
In this 3-part conversation, “Empathy,” CEO of Didi Hirsch, Dr. Kita Curry and attempt survivors Kelechi Ubozoh, Kelly Davis, Misha Kessler and Leah Harris discuss the importance of empathy and understanding versus judging and shaming when talking to people about suicide.
In this 3-part conversation, “Lived Experience,” attempt survivor and mental health advocate Leah Harris, attempt survivor and creator of “Live Through This” Dese’Rae Stage, and lead suicidologist Dr. Thomas Joiner discuss the life-saving value of lived experience in preventing future suicides.
The December issue of O Magazine published an article titled "Inside America's Suicide Crisis," featuring Dese'Rae Stage, Kelechi Ubozoh and Ann Taylor of The S Word. Take a look at the article: "After surviving a suicide attempt at age 23, Dese’Rae Stage felt profound loneliness.“I was too ashamed to talk about it,” she says. “In [...]
My son Benji reminds me of Lovejoy, the glowing green comet that visited earth a few years ago for the first time in 11,500 years. Both are beautiful and rare, other-worldly phenomena transiting my life. Benji died by suicide on May 7, 2015, at age 15. I still struggle sometimes to believe this isn’t just [...]
The S Word director Lisa Klein will participate in #ElevateTheConvo on December 13 at 5:00 PM PST/8:00 pm EST. #ElevateTheConvo is a much needed conversation about resilience, recovery and transformation after a suicide crisis. Join us on Twitter with the hashtag #ElevateTheConvo. Discussion will be moderated by Sally Spencer-Thomas (@sspencerthomas).
In this 3-part conversation, “Youth Suicide,” college students and Active Minds representatives Sarah Abelson and Erica Cooke, Director of Counseling (Bridgewater University) Randy Hook, attempt survivors Kelly Davis, Leah Harris and Misha Kessler, and actress and loss survivor Mariette Hartley muse over what individuals would miss if they took their own lives.
It was in March of 1990 when I pinned on my badge, took the peace officer oath and began my career with the California Highway Patrol (CHP). I was stationed in Alameda County - Hayward to be exact, just south of Oakland, California. A busy place with a high auto collision rate and higher than [...]
Our fall tour is winding down as we head toward the end of an eventful year of THE S WORD screenings. The latest two took Lisa to Kansas City, Kansas on November 13. The day started off with a screening of the hour long version for over 600 students at Piper High School. After an [...]
In this 3-part conversation, “Media Exploitation,” attempt survivors Craig Miller, Dese’Rae Stage, Leah Harris and Kelechi Ubozoh discuss potential harms of the “if it bleeds, it leads” style of journalism that is often used when describing a suicide or suicide attempt.
The S Word was back in Ohio recently, with Lisa presenting the film at the Performing Arts Center at Kent State University, hosted by NAMI of Tuscarawas and Carroll Counties. Earlier in the day, Lisa met with students at Dover High School, visiting several classes and participating in meaningful discussions with the kids. Local community [...]
In this 3-part conversation, “Loss,” loss/attempt survivor and suicide prevention advocate Iden Campbell, artist David Best, and loss survivors Shauna and Jean Toh contemplate loss and how to turn pain into purpose.
On Tuesday, October 16 THE S WORD participated in our first screening for the American Film Showcase. The film was shown at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, followed by a Q & A with Lisa participating via Skype. AFS brings award-winning contemporary American films to audiences around the world, offering a view of American [...]
The S Word is so excited to be part of the American Film Showcase as our film will now be screened internationally. The mission of AFS is to convey social justice around the world through film. Check out the roster of amazing films of which we have the honor to be a part: visit American Film [...]
The S Word will screen in Tucson at the Loft Cinema on Wednesday, October 10th, at 7:00 pm. In advance of the screening, Director Lisa Klein did an interview with Mark McLemore for NPR's Arizona Spotlight. Visit NPR Arizona to listen to the interview.
On Thursday, September 27, THE S WORD traveled to Victorville, CA for a screening hosted by St. Joseph's Health, St. Mary and student organizations from Valley Victor College where the event was held. The afternoon began with a resource fair, followed by a welcome from Dr. Gloria Peak, Director of St. Joseph's/St. Mary. The post-screening [...]
In this 3-part conversation, “Connectedness,” Kelechi Ubozoh and Leah Harris (attempt survivors and mental health advocates) and psychologist Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas discuss how to talk about the importance of relating to connecting with our community. We are our brothers and sisters' keepers.
Director Lisa Klein and Kelechi Ubozoh were featured in a great piece from KGO-TV in San Francisco recently that focused on suicide prevention. Lisa and Kelechi were in the Bay Area for a screening of the film in Martinez, hosted by Contra Costa County Health Services. It was a packed house for the film which [...]
My name’s Gwynn Lanning and I’m a musician, composer, Suicide prevention advocate, and LGBTQ rights activist. I’ve been composing music for ten years and view it as both a profession and a kind of personal/communal therapy. Over the years, I’ve played at LGBTQ community events, senior citizens homes, and local shops. My goal as a [...]
Below is an article written by Julie K. Hersh for Psychology Today after participating in a panel discussion following a screening of The S Word presented by The VA North Texas Health Care System. “What can I do for my friend who is suicidal?” This may not be the exact question our panel was asked after [...]
Mental Health America of Franklin County, Ohio sponsored a free screening on the Ohio State University campus. MHA welcomed Lisa to town with a luncheon held in her honor earlier in the day. Later that evening THE S WORD was shown to a capacity audience in the Ohio Union Theater on campus, followed by a [...]
In this 3-part conversation, “Talk About It,” best-selling author Andrew Solomon and psychologists Dr. Thomas Joiner and Dr. Kita Curry posit that talking about suicide reduces the fear surrounding getting help and moving forward.
I’ll never forget the first time I stood in front of a group of 9th - 12th graders after a viewing of The S Word. I was more nervous than I had been at any of our other screenings - including a Governor’s conference, the Mayo Clinic and the dozens of universities where we had [...]
The S Word was honored to have been a part of the Chautauqua Institution's week of programming entitled Documentary Film as Facilitator: Storytelling, Influence and Civil Discourse." This theme was explored through Chautauqua’s renowned lecture series, that featured talks by famed documentarian Ken Burns and Washington Post film critic Ann Hornaday. The S Word screened [...]
In this 3-part conversation, “The Suicide Zone,” psychologists Dr. April Foreman, Dr. Bill Schmitz and Dr. John Draper discuss a variety of ways in which people can move past the suicide zone and toward a life worth living.
In this 3-part conversation, “The Medical Model,” lead suicidologist Dr. Thomas Joiner, attempt survivor and mental health advocate Iden Campbell and attorney Skip Simpson discuss what the medical profession can learn from people with lived experience.
Sonoma County Supervisor Shirlee Zane hosted a free community screening of The S Word followed by a panel discussion on July 11th. We want to thank everyone involved for putting this wonderful event together and give a special shout out to the women of the California HOPE organization. Lisa first met Supervisor Zane when she [...]
In this 3-part conversation “Collective Responsibility,” attempt survivor and mental health advocate Leah Harris, best-selling author Andrew Solomon and psychologist Dr. April Foreman talk about what we can do as a community to help others through a suicidal crisis.
The sad news of several recent high-profile deaths by suicide has sparked a much-needed national conversation. The S Word's Dese'Rae Stage and Kelechi Ubozoh participated in two recent network television programs on the subject. Dese'Rae was a part of "Finding Hope: Battling America's Suicide Crisis," a CNN Town Hall hosted by Anderson Cooper. To view [...]
The S Word's Kelechi Ubozoh and Dese'Rae Stage were among four people who shared their personal journeys as suicide attempt survivors with "Good Morning America" to shed light on the darkness. You can read all four stories on the Good Morning America website.
In this 3-part conversation, “Surviving Loss,” loss survivors Katie Hardy, Amelia Lehto, Shirlee Zane and Jean, John and Shauna Toh consider the seemingly interminable questions that arise from the suicide of a loved one.
In this 3-part conversation “Unmasking,” attempt survivors Kelechi Ubozoh, Leah Harris and Iden Campbell and psychologist Dr. April Foreman discuss the power of taking off the mask and ending the silence surrounding suicide - opening a much-needed conversation that could save lives.
More than 1,000 guests attended the red-carpet awards ceremony and top films screening in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 22nd to celebrate the achievement of young filmmakers across the state. Lisa was honored to receive a Directing Change award for Outstanding Film with Messaging around Suicide Prevention. Lisa was also thrilled to hand out [...]
On July 18, 1993, I attempted suicide. I was at the point where the emotional pain was just too much for me. I had struggled with depression as far back as I could remember. As a child at the time, I didn’t know it was called depression - I was just sad. I wondered why [...]
We would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to the Stanislaus County Suicide Prevention Advisory Board for all their efforts in presenting four free community screenings of The S Word in downtown Modesto, Ceres, Patterson and West Modesto. Every screening featured Spanish subtitles and the Q & A panel discussion with Lisa in Ceres [...]
Lisa had the honor of presenting The S Word at the the Third Annual Governor’s Conference in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The Q & A afterward reflected an engaged and deeply thoughtful audience reaction. Thank you Richard Barrett for inviting us and for the warm reception. And, as you can see, Lisa got to meet the governor. [...]
In this 3-part conversation, “Self Care,” attempt survivor and mental health advocate Leah Harris, loss survivor and mental health advocate Mariette Hartley and artist David Best share their stories of self care and connecting with others and how those simple things can save lives and revive the human spirit.
Talented young filmmaker Milo Ferguson, a junior at Oakwood Secondary School in Southern California, created this video in memory of his friend who died by suicide.
I don’t remember how long it was after my suicide attempt that I knew I wanted to live. It wasn’t immediate, I know that. I didn’t wake up in the intensive care unit, fill my lungs with oxygen from a plastic tube and think, “Thank God I’m alive.” What came to me first was that [...]
In advance of our two screenings at the FREEP Film Festival, Ellen Piligian, wrote a wonderful article about Lisa and The S Word for The Detroit Free Press: Lisa Klein knows the silence of suicide all too well. “The S Word,” her documentary screening Saturday and Sunday at Freep Film Festival, examines suicide through stories [...]
In early April THE S WORD took part in the Cleveland International Film Festival. In addition to the usual post-screening Q & A sessions, Lisa participated in a flurry of activities, including an appearance on “Mental Illness and Friends,” a live comedy talk show. Lisa was interviewed by host Deena Nyer Mendlowitz, who infuses the [...]
In this 3-part conversation, “Hope,” attempt survivor and suicide prevention advocate Eduardo Vega, attempt survivor and speaker Craig Miller, and psychologist Dr. Bill Schmitz talk about how essential hope is in the battle against suicide and suicidal ideation.
Dese‘Rae joined Lisa for the Q & A at the College of Public Health sponsored screening at Temple University on April 2nd. Des also brought her amazing photography to the pre-screening resource event. You can visit her website, Live Through This, to learn more about her journey. Thank to you everyone at Temple for a [...]
Lisa and Kelechi recently visited Port Townsend High School in Port Townsend, WA to show THE S WORD and visit with students. After a screening attended by more than 200 kids, students were split into small discussion groups, each led by a teacher or counselor. Lisa and Kelechi circulated throughout, participating in frank, heartfelt conversations. [...]
In this 3-part conversation, “Means Restriction,” suicidologist Dr. Thomas Joiner, attempt survivor and mental health advocate Leah Harris, and psychologist Dr. April Foreman discuss the importance of restricting the lethal means that could lead to someone dying by suicide.
THE S WORD recently descended on the town of Cloverdale, CA in beautiful Sonoma County. The day began with a screening of the new one-hour, school-friendly version at Cloverdale High School, followed by a group discussion with director Lisa Klein. The students were blown away by the film, which elicited comments such as “I think [...]
We were honored to screen The S Word at the Mayo Clinic, presented by the Center for Humanities in Medicine. A panel discussion followed the film featuring director Lisa Klein, Natalia Chimbo-Andrade, Community Bridges, INC in Arizona, Emily LaFlamme, Program Coordinator, Be Connected and Allison Schmitt, eight-time Olympic medalist in swimming. Dr. Bright, Vice Chair [...]
An intimate conversation with Lisa Klein on her film The S Word and suicide survivors by Sean Steinberg of Good Docs. "Lisa Klein joins us to discuss her new film, The S-Word, which follows suicide survivors on their inspiring, and at times, tragic, road to regaining their lives. In an intimate discussion, Lisa discusses her [...]
13 Reasons Why Not are personal stories from people who have lived through suicidal thoughts. The name is coined from a controversial Netflix original series, 13 Reasons Why. The show tells the story of a high school girl who died by suicide after creating tapes explaining why she killed herself. Each tape mentions a different [...]
The Pat Walker Health Center Counseling and Psychological Services sponsored a screening of The S Word followed by a Q & A with director Lisa Klein and Dese'Rae Stage who is featured in the film. Thank you to the University of Arkansas for an amazing night! Dese'Rae and Lisa with University of Arkansas grad students [...]
In this 3-part conversation “Intent,” attempt survivors Craig Miller and Kelechi Ubozoh and loss survivors Shauna, Jean and John Toh discuss how intent comes into play when dealing with suicidality.
I thought THE S WORD was a “sword”. My favorite weapon is a sword. Imagination can take you anywhere. My imagination takes me to places like Wyoming and China. A suicide attempt at age 8 doesn’t define me. I can re-imagine myself. –Gabriel Reyes, Age 9
Lisa recently wrote the following article about The S Word which appeared on Medium: As I tour the country with our documentary, THE S WORD, it’s been interesting to gauge the reactions, from waiters to Lyft drivers to random people who ask what I’m doing in FILL IN THE BLANK city. When I tell them [...]
In this 3-part conversation, “The Medical Model” Psychologists Dr. Sally Spencer Thomas, Dr. Thomas Joiner and mental health advocate Leah Harris discuss how suicide prevention goes well beyond the medical model alone.
It was a jam-packed day in Casper Wyoming. Craig Miller, who is featured in The S Word, joined director Lisa Klein for all the events. The day started with an interview at the K1 Morning radio show. Then, they were swept away to Roosevelt High School to speak with an assembly of students and faculty. [...]
The Screening of The S Word and Q & A led by director Lisa Klein was part of Western Michigan University's Lee Honors College's Spring 2018 Lyceum Lecture Series: Mental Health Matters: College Student Mental Health in the 21st Century. We were so pleased to be part of the the ongoing discussion and Lisa was [...]
We had the pleasure of screening The S Word at Indiefest in San Francisco on February 3rd and February 7th. Director Lisa Klein and Kelechi Ubozoh, who is featured in the film, led the Q&A's. Thank you to the Roxi Theater and the SF Indiefest for two great shows! SF Indiefest is a year-round, non-profit [...]
LaFern Cusack is an award-winning on-air talent and producer, generating awareness and social change through digital and multi-platform content. She is best known for producing and hosting 'The Experience with LaFern Cusack' on ESPN LA Radio as well as creating galvanizing business and social influencers. LaFern recently interviewed director Lisa Klein about The S Word [...]
The S Word was screened at The Brookings Institution in Washington DC to a packed house on Monday, February 5th. It was an amazing night for all of us and we thank everyone at Brookings for making this such a wonderful event. Brookings also displayed the photography exhibit by Dese 'Rae Stage (Live Through This) [...]
I have gotten to know Craig through interviews and hanging out while filming The S Word - of which he has become an integral part. I am so proud to call him my friend - my extremely talented friend. Read this poem - his photos, his books and other poems at thisishowitfeels.com and you’ll know [...]
As we continue to take our film out to communities, we are struck by the personal stories that continue to emerge every day. And one thing we never want to do is get complacent with the statistics and think "Oh, another one..." No, that's not okay and this letter that came to us this morning [...]
13 Reasons Why Not are personal stories from people who have lived through suicidal thoughts. The name is coined from a controversial Netflix original series, 13 Reasons Why. The show tells the story of a high school girl who died by suicide after creating tapes explaining why she killed herself. Each tape mentions a different [...]
In this 3-part conversation, “Lived Experience,” attempt survivors Leah Harris and Kelechi Ubozoh and lead suicidologist Dr. Thomas Joiner discuss how sharing our stories and understanding that it’s okay not to be okay can help us focus on life.
Director Lisa Klein and Community Outreach Director Patrica Harris DiLeva were pleased to attend the California PTA Legislation Conference in Sacramento on January 22nd to present information and have a conversation about The S Word. CAPTA connects families, schools and communities and is part of the foundation of the public-education system and a trusted messenger to [...]
We had an amazing night at the University of Southern California screening presented by the School of Cinematic Arts on January 16th. Director Lisa Klein and producer Doug Blush are USC Film School alumni and it was with great pleasure that they screened The S Word in the Ray Stark Theater. A thoughtful discussion led [...]
It was about a year after my son Noah’s suicide, at a conference for survivors of suicide loss, when I first heard someone describe what led to their own suicide attempt. My hackles bristled so fiercely I couldn’t hear the details. I resisted being dragged inside that bleak and scary place, as if despair were [...]
You can listen to The S Word director Lisa Klein this Thursday at 6:30 a.m. PST on the award-winning podcast, The Psych Central Show - with hosts with Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales. The link below will be live on Thursday, January 11 for the interview: Listen to Psych Central Podcast. Hosted by Gabe [...]
These are the stories of people who have felt suicidal, and they have reached out to the people in their lives who are part of the reason they are alive. Please listen to these very powerful first hand accounts from people who have been there - and their appreciation for those who have been there [...]
In this 3-part conversation, “Seeking Help,” Kita Curry (Didi Hirsch CEO), Leah Harris, Misha Kessler and Kelly Davis (attempt survivors) and Mariette Hartley (loss survivor), share their insights regarding the importance of asking for help when feeling suicidal
I’ll never forget the bitter winter morning a few years ago when my life would be forever changed, as it would for a woman we’ll call Rose - a young, single, working mom with another on the way. Rose wanted what we all want - a better life for her kids. I could easily relate. [...]
In this 3-part conversation, “How to Respond,” psychologists Eduardo Vega and Craig Bryan and mental health advocate Leah Harris, enlighten us about how to respond to someone who is suicidal.
We’re pleased to announce The S Word Stories and Voices series of posts have moved to the Tumblr community. We invite you to follow us on Tumblr as we post new stories each week from the inspiring individuals we met while filming The S Word. You can still keep up with the Latest News on The S Word [...]
In this 3-part conversation, "Coping With Suicide Loss,” mental health advocates Samantha Nadler, Jean Toh, Shauna Toh and Mariette Hartley share the depth of their losses and how they continue to cope, showing us how it's not about what you alone could have done -- it's about what you're doing now.
Our good friend and suicide prevention advocate, Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, recently did a talk for TEDx Crestmoor Park Women called Stopping Suicide with Story. Take a look: Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas knows first hand the challenges and stigma we face with suicide prevention and mental health. At the heart of all social movements [...]
A poem by Craig Miller Maybe someday I’ll walk from this basement Silver and lead in my hand I’ll open the front door to face it The world that beat up my head And maybe that will be it. Or maybe I’ll just stand in the sunset And hesitate for a bit Reversing the scenes [...]
The S Word was screened by the Exeter Health Resources Suicide Prevention Initiative in partnership with Regional Public Health Networks, NAMI New Hampshire, Youth Suicide Prevention Assembly and NH Suicide Prevention Council. Joining director Lisa Klein for the panel discussion were Dese'Rae Stage and Craig Miller who are both featured in the film. Thank you [...]
We were so pleased to be part of the Kevin's Song conference this year in Plymouth, Michigan. The S Word was screened before a full house and followed by a wonderful panel discussion. Sally Spencer Thomas, Jen Losey James, Katie Hardy, Karen Marshall, Amelia Lehto, and Lisa Klein at the conference. Sally [...]
He used to be a couple of years older than me. I am now five years older than him because he decided to end his life. As the years pass, he will stay 39 and I will continue to grow older. I still sometimes blame myself. The “what if’s” and “If I had only’s…” never [...]
We had a full house at the Maple Theater for the screening presented by The Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan Detroit, followed by a panel discussion. Proceeds from the screening benefited A Single Soul, a program at Jewish Family Service, that provides a range of suicide prevention, education and training. A big thank you to [...]
These are the stories of people who have felt suicidal, and they have reached out to the people in their lives who are part of the reason they are alive. Please listen to these very powerful first hand accounts from people who have been there - and their appreciation for those who have been there [...]
The hometown premiere of THE S WORD was part of the ArcLight Documentary Series held on Sunday, October 22nd in Santa Monica. The panel for the Q & A featured director Lisa Klein, producer Doug Blush and cast members Kelechi Ubozoh, Craig Miller and Jean Toh. Marjan Safania, President of the International Documentary Association and [...]
Lisa was interviewed on October 24th by radio and TV host Val Uchendu for his show Loss to Profound with Val on the Universal Broadcasting Network. Val's show airs live every Tuesday at 11:00 am. "The show's new segment, "Becoming Profound," is about turning your loss, an unfavorable event/incident into Positive to Inspire others or provide [...]
In this 3-part conversation, "Being There to Respond,” mental health advocates DeQuincy Lezine, Dese’Rae L. Stage and Leah Harris help us learn how to be there to respond to individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts and feelings.
On Sunday, October 22, THE S WORD made its hometown debut with a sold-out screening and Q&A session, as part of the ArcLight Theatre's prestigious Documentary Series. THE S WORD crew was joined by cast members Kelechi Ubozoh, Craig Miller, Jean Toh and Ann Taylor plus friends and supporters at a post-screening celebration. Many thanks [...]
It was a full day in Sacramento, topped off by a phenomenal screening attended by 500+ at the historic Sacramento Crest Theater! First up, Lisa presented clips of the film and conducted a Q&A for employees at the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). Next, Lisa, Joseph Robinson (Program Manager, Each Mind Matters) Stan Collins [...]
Director Lisa Klein, producer Doug Blush and editor Josh Bayer sat down with Christine Palma of KXLU Radio at Loyola Marymount University for an in depth discussion about The S Word. Thanks so much to Christine for providing a wonderful platform to to highlight the film! Click here to listen to the full interview.
Nikki Daurio is a junior at Harvard. She connected with Lisa and The S Word after dealing with her own suicidal ideation freshman year. She may still have her bad days, but the important thing is, since she's had treatment and found inspiration from others, she knows how to cope with them. Two of her [...]
I am a more compassionate parent to my son because I live with suicidal thoughts. And it took me until this moment to realize that. Since trying to end my life over 15 years ago, I have seen a lot of doctors, tried a lot of different therapies, and a lot of diagnoses have been [...]
It was great having Kelechi Ubozoh and her mom, Janet Bivens, who are both featured in The S Word, join the Q&A with director Lisa Klein in Atlanta. We appreciated the insightful dialogue with the audience. Kelechi Ubozoh and her mom, Janet Bivens. Thank you to everyone at Behavioral Health Link for hosting [...]
We had an amazing time in Olathe, Kansas and want to thank everyone at the Johnson County Suicide Prevention Coalition for hosting us and putting together the panel of local police and mental health professionals that accompanied Lisa for a great discussion. Earlier that morning, Lisa did a live interview with Charlie Keegan at KSHB-TV. [...]
In this 3-part conversation, Leah Harris, Kelechi Ubozoh and Dese'Rae L. Stage tell us that suicidal thoughts are not unique to one group of people, they can happen to anyone.
Thank you to the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Colorado for hosting a screening of The S Word in Denver and Eagle Valley. A panel discussion followed both screenings and we are grateful to be part of the continuing conversation.
A very big thank you to the University of Utah for a wonderful screening. The Q & A that followed was especially emotional for director Lisa Klein when 9-year old Eli Najarian raised his hand and said the following: "Thank you for making this movie and helping me and future generations. " Needless to say, [...]
The Iowa Crisis Center screened The S Word in Iowa City at The Englert Theatre. Beau Pinkham, the Director of Crisis Intervention Services, led a panel discussion with director Lisa Klein, Keri Neblett, an assistant professor in the UI’s School of Social Work and board member for the Iowa Chapter of the American Foundation for [...]
The dark hotel room lurked around me; the cold blue and gray carpet oozing the dank sani-odor of disinfectants and air freshener. Hotel rooms are the Rorschachs of the soul, commoditized dwelling units designed as homes away from homes but always failing. What you see in a hotel room is what you bring to the [...]
A big thank you to the Port Townsend Film Festival for an amazing weekend! The S Word was screened twice followed by a Q&A with director Lisa Klein and producer Doug Blush. We appreciate all the wonderful people who came out to support the film and this incredible film festival!
Oakland County, Michigan Youth Suicide Prevention hosted a screening of The S Word followed by a meaningful panel discussion. Thank you, Royal Oak Theater, for giving Lisa Klein a big hometown welcome! Visit the Oakland Community Health Network for information about their programs. We also appreciate Maddie Forshee writing about our homecoming for CandGNews. You [...]
In this 3-part conversation, "Physical Health Bias in the Medical System,” psychologist Dr. April Foreman, psychologist Dr. William Schmitz Jr. and suicide loss survivor Shirlee Zane tell us why the medical system is failing our society when it comes to mental health and suicide prevention.
The S Word was screened at the 2nd Annual Suicide Awareness and Prevention Conference: Shattering the Silence, held at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital in Glendale, CA in recognition of Worldwide Suicide Prevention Day. Having courageous conversations about depression and suicide was the topic for the Q&A with director Lisa Klein via Skype from Detroit. Organized [...]
Growing up in ultimate survival mode-- my father was a Vietnam veteran Air Force pilot-- and still living in survival mode is sometimes very overwhelming.
The S Word was screened at the Trevor Foundation followed by a wonderful and heartfelt discussion led by director Lisa Klein and Kelechi Ubozoh who is featured in the film. Thank you to the Trevor Project for all that you do! The Trevor Project was founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award®-winning [...]
In this 3-part conversation, "The Cost of Medical System Failures,” NYT best-selling author Andrew Solomon, suicide loss survivor Shirlee Zane and psychologist Dr. April Foreman tell us why the medical system is failing our society due to cost and stigma.
The S Word is the proud recipient of a 2017 Voice Award. Director Lisa Klein accepted the award and was joined on stage by Producer Doug Blush along with Kelechi Ubozoh and Ann Taylor who are both featured in film. The Voice Awards program honors consumer/peer/family leaders in recovery from mental health conditions and/or addictions. These [...]
Director Lisa Klein was the guest on a recent Sally Spencer-Thomas podcast about why storytelling is so critical in effective suicide prevention. Intimate, vulnerable, inspiring stories let us know we are not alone. Stories of recovery allow us to see a road map before us that leads us out of our despair. To listen to [...]
When I tell people what I do for a living, I typically get one of three reactions: #1 “Oh wow! I could NEVER do THAT!”; #2 “So, do you get sexual callers?”; or, most commonly, #3 Silence. The conversation is stopped in its tracks. I am one of those mythical creatures that works on a [...]
I tried to kill myself in the summer of 2006. I was 23. I spent a month deeply entrenched in an exhaustive cycle of breaking up and getting back together with Emma*, the girl I'd loved for three years. She was cheating on me, but neither of us could sever ties with the other.
In this 3-part conversation, "Having Hope and Suicide Prevention,” psychologist Dr. William Schmitz Jr., suicide loss survivor, Iden McCollum, and psychologist, Dr. April Foreman, talk about moving past the "suicide zone", and seeing hope beyond pain.
On a chilly evening in late March of 2012, I walked into a room and sat down amongst a group of strangers. The only thing we had in common was we all had lost someone who died by suicide.
When I was asked to speak at Brandon Toh’s memorial service, I had no idea of the journey it would take me on. The speech that I wrote ended up inspiring a full-length production called "Ceiling in the Floor, ” a theater/music/dance piece that tells the story of our friendship and features his incredible music. [...]
Director Lisa Klein was interviewed recently for an article on Mashable.com: “13 Reasons Why’ proves that good intentions aren’t enough when it comes to portraying suicide.” […]
My flip phone says 3 missed calls 2 from home 1 from him I assume her phone died so she used his to call me and I quickly relive the night before up in the wee morning hours listening to her tears telling her it'll be okay get to yoga center yourself you only want to be with someone who [...]
Layer One - Lies The blackness arose from the lies. The layers of blackness slowly turned to grays and browns. Each color representing some new form of deflection, self-preservation, or justification to make sure I never had to face the pain directly. Those layers let in peaks of light and, at very rare times, happiness. [...]
Read Director Lisa Klein's recently published piece on Mental Health on The Mighty. Looking back at loss and lessons learned along the way, “How could he have done that to us? It was so selfish.” I wondered this as well, until I started talking with and listening to people with lived experience – people who [...]
In this 3-part conversation, "Crisis Hotlines," Director of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Dr. John Draper, Founder of Trans Lifeline, Greta Martela, and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's Shari Sinwelski tell us how hotlines have transformed suicide prevention, and continue to save lives every single day.
In this 3-part conversation, "Teens, College & Suicide Prevention," suicide prevention advocate and attempt survivor, Misha Kessler, psychologist and CEO of Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, Dr. Kita Curry, and college suicide prevention advocacy group, Active Minds, discuss the impact mental health support on college campuses can make for students.
In this 3-part conversation, "Talking About The 'S' Word," psychologist Dr. April Foreman, Mental Health Advocates Keris Myrick & Wilma Townsend, and college suicide prevention advocacy group Active Minds tell us why we have to talk about suicide, and why the silence surrounding it is far more terrifying.
In this 3-part conversation, "Seeking Help & Suicide Prevention,” psychologist and CEO of Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, Dr. Kita Curry, suicide attempt survivor, Samantha Nadler, and leading suicidologist, Dr. Thomas Joiner, tell us why we can't do it all ourselves, and why asking for help doesn't make you "less than," it makes you human.
From the very start of my training as a clinical psychologist, I was interested in suicide prevention and have wanted to work with individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts. As an early career psychologist, I worked with and provided treatment to hundreds of suicidal individuals. When I deployed to Iraq in 2009, however, my relationship with [...]
After shooting the film “The Crucible,” during which I had a manic episode, I returned to Los Angeles and had to find a new agent. I told him at my interview I had bipolar disorder. He said, “Oh, honey, I’ve had actors wander off sets for weeks on a binge. You are the least of [...]
My name is Nikki Daurio and I’m currently a sophomore at Harvard University. Last year, I developed depression and suicidal ideation so I decided to seek help. I noticed several flaws within the Mental Health Services on campus and encountered several paradoxes in the public health system. Following that, I decided to dig deeper and [...]
Writing this is hard because even though I’ve spoken about my personal struggles in public and on video those are distant memories. Almost 18 years since my last attempt and 17 years since my last mental health break and hospitalization. I wonder will I lose business opportunities because this attempt is so fresh? How will [...]
I don’t deserve to be called a survivor. I’m just some guy. I never thought my story was worth telling. I never even thought I’d be alive right now. In October 2009, I had just returned home from serving in the army due to being discharged after a mental breakdown. The whole reason I had [...]
Suicide. A real curveball. It was a topic I hadn’t thought too hard about until I was asked to shoot video for a suicide documentary — one that has since been titled “The S Word.” I remember my initial coffee meeting with Lisa Klein, the director of the film. She asked me if I would [...]
I have had the privilege of knowing and working alongside many people who have survived the loss of a loved one to suicide, and others who have survived their own period of suicidal crisis. I have learned so much from these inspirational individuals. Perhaps the most important thing I have learned is that, “the ‘S’ [...]
“Excerpts from Rabbi Stacy’s Yom Kippur sermon at Congregation Rodef Sholom in Northern California. Rabbi Stacy delivered this a couple of months after the death of Robin Williams, but the message is still relevant today. This is a piece that pushes through any religious leanings, and strikes the core feelings that surround preconceived notions of mental illness [...]
A few summers ago I was struggling financially, and as a result, I developed a severe ulcer. Then I found out I had cancer on my nose and would need reconstructive surgery. But the worst was yet to come: the man I loved left me—without a word, without any warning. This combination of events was [...]
I tried to kill myself at Yale University when I was a student there 51 years ago. Returning to the 50th Reunion of the class of 1966, the class I didn’t graduate with, I sought closure to what has always been a painful experience. A friend from those undergraduate years invited me to come. I [...]
Any time there is a forum for people to talk about their shared experiences – that’s a good thing. Sometimes we just want to be around people who get it – it’s comforting. Having a day set aside to honor or memorialize people who have died by suicide or loved somebody who has, is a [...]
Dark Days: I experienced many dark days from the ages of 4 to 40. I experienced various types of abuse and trauma during those years, and I began having symptoms of mental illness as early as 7. The symptoms weren’t always consistent, and my behavior was misconstrued as, “she is just being a bad girl,” [...]
"And we're LIVE!" For two years, I start just about every weekly Suicide Prevention Social Media Chat (#SPSM) livestream with those words. Those words weren't intentional. It's just how things turned out. If you want to do a regular social media event about a topic that everyone says no one wants to talk about, I [...]
It is currently October 2016 and, as such, it has been nearly half a century since the formal study of understanding (and preventing) suicide was borne out into its own existence. In these past 50 years there have been many important discoveries and advances, but one thing has NOT changed, suicide remains a leading cause [...]
I’ve lost 5 friends to it. I joined 1 of the 6 children’s response teams in the country and was floored at how inhumane I felt the “standardized” response we (society) continue to deploy. There is no intermediate response, so I wanted to empower everyone with the same skill that professionals have so they can [...]
Every night, I would wish that the next morning I would wake up dead. Of course this is technically impossible. It was however a reflection of the deep emotional pain, anguish and hopelessness that I felt for so many years. Waking up dead did not mean waking up with the sudden ability to turn off [...]
It is 8 am. I shower. Dress in black. Get in the car. Smoke. I’m shaky. A little nervous. I tell myself I’m not. Deep breathes. Focus on driving. Getting closer. Maybe 20 minutes. I’m just a person. I am nobody. Am I safe? Do I trust my doctor? Do I trust these people? Do [...]
Okay, so September is Suicide Prevention Month. There are a lot of months, weeks and days reminding us to pay attention to various things – usually they are things we should be paying attention to all the time. What happens when the month is over? In the case of suicide prevention, there are a lot [...]
For the last fifteen years, I’ve been “out” as a suicide attempt survivor. I’ve shared publicly what it felt like to be unable to live in my own skin, and what it was like to be a patient receiving treatment after suicide attempts. I’ve shared countless times about how the systems that were supposed to [...]
“Why?” As a suicide attempt survivor I can’t tell you how many times I have sat with people and tried to give them an answer to that question. When doctors would ask I would become frustrated, because they should be the ones with the answers. When family would ask I would feel guilty, because anything [...]
I’ve been here before. When the sadness is so thick it can choke me, and I have terrifying thoughts swirling in my mind trying to seduce me with an escape plan from my pain- it can be horrifying, especially because I am a suicide attempt survivor. Being a part of “The S Word” documentary has [...]
My name is Lisa Klein and I am currently directing a documentary called The S Word. Try telling someone you’re making a film about suicide and see what their reaction is. A long, uncomfortable silence. A concerned look. Clearing of the throat. Then I launch into my spiel – “It’s not going to be a [...]
