NYC: Free screening of film "Can" at City College of New York, Wed., March 23 @6:30PM

[Pearl J. Park]

Wed, March 23, 2016 @6:30 PM 

The Documentary Forum at City College of New York

259 Convent Avenue, New York, NY

Shepard Hall Room 290
Co-sponsored with Third World Newsreel and The Maysles Cinema.
Free but RSVP

What does it take to heal from mental illness? This documentary film "Can" (amongourkin.org) depicts a first-person account of 37-year-old Can Truong, a refugee who was among the millions of boat people who fled Vietnam, as he searches for healing, dignity and recovery from initially depression and then bipolar disorder. Over a 12-year period, Can tried more than 20 different medications, was hospitalized 7 times, and underwent 15 electroconvulsive shock treatments. Fighting despair and suicidal impulses, Can becomes active in the mental health consumer movement, a social and political effort by people labeled with mental illnesses who believe in recovery through self-determination and peer support. Inspired by his peers, he embarks on a healing journey of a different kind — trying to reconcile cultural differences with his very traditional Confucian father, attempting to make sense of some of his painful childhood wounds, serving as a volunteer on numerous mental health organizations that promote recovery, and exploring spiritual and holistic healing modalities. 

"'Can' courageously breaks the silence about mental illness, trauma and the Asian American experience— a compelling story that would otherwise go untold."

— Amy Cheng, Ph.D., Asst. Prof of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine

"This film captures the spirit of the person, not just the diagnosis. I give it a '10'!" 

— DJ Ida, Ph.D., Exec. Dir., National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association

"As a mental health clinician, I was moved by Can’s courage and commitment to regaining his life. As a suicide prevention specialist, I was profoundly moved by Can’s message of hope and recovery. The documentary is remarkably effective in recognizing stigma as a primary barrier to creating support resources for Asian Americans with mental illness."

— Aruna Jha, Ph.D., LCSW

Founder, Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI)