NEW COMMUNITY SCREENINGS & PRESS COVERAGE FOR MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
The BURIED ABOVE GROUND team kicked off May’s #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth with a series of events around the country as part of The National Community Screenings Tour.
On May 5th, director Ben Selkow joined the Family Service Association of San Antonio, Inc.'s "Change in Mind" Learning Summit in Texas for a screening of Buried Above Ground followed by a dynamic Q&A.
Ben Selkow presenting in San Antonio, TX
Family Service Association of San Antonio’s "Change in Mind" Learning Summit
Continuing our National Community Screenings Tour, NAMI Monterey County with the support of Each Mind Matters, hosted two incredibly impactful, inspirational and compassionate screenings on May 11 and May 12.
Ben Selkow leads the panel discussion at CSUMB
California State University, Monterey Bay held the first event. Following a packed screening, one of the film's courageous characters domestic abuse survivor, Erundina Lopez joined director Ben Selkow, Marissa Robles (Youth Education & Advocacy Facilitator at YWCA Monterey County), Trinity Salazar (Case Manager/Clinical Specialist) and Edwin Marticorena (Deputy Executive Director) both of the Veterans Transition Center of Monterey County for a talkback with the audience. After two years in a faith-based rehabilitation facility after relapsing, Erundina joined filmmaker Ben Selkow for the first time following a screening. She was so honest, candid, strong and inspiring with her remarks during the event. It was incredibly moving to share the stage with her, as well as see audience members seek her out for encouragement, support and well wishes when the night was over.
“Buried Above Ground’s” Erundina Lopez, Ben Selkow, Marissa Robles, Trinity Salazar and Edwin Marticorena
The room came alive with stories, testimonies, hugs, tears, and support as combat veterans, domestic violence survivors, child abuse survivors, and first responders came forward from the audience to share their lived experiences, challenges and stories of recovery.
Buried Above Ground brings to light PTSD in a real and powerful way, helps dispel stigmas associated with trauma, and allows the audience to see the humanity of those suffering from PTSD.
- Edwin Marticorena, MFT, US Army veteran
Deputy Executive Director, Veterans Transition Center
Compassion. Community. Trust. Safety. Humbling and moving to witness such honesty and defiance of stigma and shame. We successfully created a forum for story-sharing, resource availability, and the creation of new connections within a community.
Maya Cinemas in Salinas, CA
“Buried Above Ground’s” Erundina Lopez
Panelists Megen Caskey, Erundina Lopez, Ben Selkow and Trinity Salazar
On our second night in Monterey County, we headed to Salinas for an inspiring second screening of Buried Above Ground with continued support from NAMI Monterey County President Joe Livernois and his remarkable staff. We filled the Maya Cinemas for the screening, then Erundina Lopez again joined director Ben Selkow, Trinity Salazar (Case Manager/Clinical Specialist) of the Veterans Transition Center of Monterey County, and NAMI Monterey County Board Member Megen Caskey for an emotional Q&A.
Reflecting the diversity of Salinas, the room had a different feel than the night before and the theater transformed into a public support space with veterans, former foster care children, homeless members of the community, and other trauma survivors sharing their stories, finding resources and even receiving a few hugs.
“Buried Above Ground” at the Maya Cinemas
HUGE Thank you to President of the NAMI Monterey County Board Joe Livernois for the invitation to NAMI Monterey County Screening at Black Box Cabaret, Each Mind Matters, Veterans Transition Center of Monterey County, YWCA Monterey County, CSUMB Health Promotion & Education, and CSUMB Veterans Service Center for supporting the event. NAMI Monterey County graciously followed up our event with kind praise on their website: “Capacity crowds, a powerful documentary and meaningful conversations about post-traumatic stress disorder marked NAMI’s two-day film extravaganza this week at CSU Monterey Bay.”
NAMI Monterey County President Joe Livernois and Director Ben Selkow
Our events received excellent media coverage in both the Monterey Herald and the Monterey County Weekly leading up to the screenings on May 11 and May 12, 2016. You can read more on our press page here: http://buriedaboveground.tv/media-coverage
For more information about BURIED ABOVE GROUND, please find us at: http://buriedaboveground.tv
If you would like to host a screening of BURIED ABOVE GROUND, please contact us: http://buriedaboveground.tv/book-a-screening
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