The Keene Family YMCA, Monadnock Youth Coalition (MYC) and Communities for Alcohol and Drug-free Youth (CADY) are proud to present a virtual screening of the documentary Lift the Mask – Portraits of Life with Mental Illness on Saturday, May 14th at 10am EST.

Lift the Mask tells the harrowing, hopeful stories of six individuals living with behavioral and mental health diagnoses. Through vivid storytelling and direct testimony, the film takes us into the lives of a diverse group of people living with mental illness and the people who provide much of their care.

The film focuses on the lived experiences of each subject, some of whom are “lifting the mask” by telling their stories publicly for the first time.

The film will be followed by a panel discussion to include:

• Tanya Griffiths – mother of one of the film’s subjects, Claire who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a young teen.
• Liz Charpentier – mother of one of the films subjects, Dennis who received multiple diagnoses beginning when he was a very young child.
• Jenn Kastick – Newfound Region Social Worker
• Adriana Elliot, LJCSW – Associate Director, Children and Families, Monadnock Family Services
• Renee Wilk – Executive Director of The Quell Foundation

Stories like these are so often hidden due to the social stigma that labels people as “crazy” or “scary,” and the film intends to open up and normalize a dialog about mental health.