More than one hundred people attended yesterday's screening of the opening Frames of Mind film, Dédé à travers les brumes. The launch took place at the NFB’s CinéRobothèque. Frames of Mind is part of the Public Education Program of the Douglas University Mental Health Institute, the main goal of which is to combat prejudices against mental illness. These misconceptions often prevent those with mental illnesses from getting the care they need, as explained yesterday by Claudette Allard, President of the Board of Directors of the Douglas Institute.

Actor and Youth Net spokesman Antoine Bertrand also gave a speech last night and explained how, through the films and discussions facilitated by Douglas experts, Frames of Mind tries to uncover feelings of shame or fear felt by those affected so that they can express the symptoms they experience. The sisters of Dédé Fortin, who were invited to the event along with child psychiatrist Johanne Renaud, delivered a moving testimony. When Dédé was alive, they did not recognize the symptoms of depression that their brother, who committed suicide, probably exeperienced. Today, however, they are advocates of the importance of becoming well informed about mental illness and being familiar with available resources so that lives can be saved. In its 7th edition, Frames of Mind has another great year in store.

The documentary La peau et les os, après... is being presented tonight and Un ange à la mer will be screened Saturday evening. The invited experts from the Douglas Institute are Howard Steiger, PhD, Johanne Renaud, MD, PhD, and Jean-François Bélair MD.