Documentary will be held in Elkhorn Nov. 20
By Heather Ruenz
Staff Writer
Earlier this year, Milwaukee PBS and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel produced a video entitled “You’re Not Alone,” which has won wide acclaim as a force for youth mental health and suicide prevention.
Next week, the documentary will be shown at Elkhorn Area High School and will include three of the students featured in it as special guests on a panel discussion.
The documentary follows four young people from Wisconsin navigating mental health challenges, according to the PBS website. They’ve endured assault, bullying, incarceration, and discrimination. Some thought about suicide.
“But through the pain, they found support from family, friends, and strangers. They found the strength within themselves. They’re sharing their stories to let others know they’re not alone and that healing is possible,” the site states.
The film is an extension of USA TODAY Network-Wisconsin’s Kids in Crisis series, which over the past three years has uncovered rising suicide rates and gaps in mental health care in Wisconsin.
Beginning in the early fall, a team of concerned area organizations met and determined they would like to sponsor a community event for Walworth County teens and families, according to Scott Gelzer, a community volunteer.
“The group considers this topic a high priority for our community,” he said.
The Nov. 20 showing of “You’re Not Alone” will be at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium at Elkhorn Area High School and light refreshments will be served.
The video will be followed by a panel discussion that will include three of the four students who appear in the documentary. There will also be organizations present who are available to continue the conversation should audience members be interested.
Sponsors for the event include Elkhorn and Lake Geneva school districts, United Way of Walworth County, Walworth County Health and Human Services, Rotary International and the YMCA.
To learn more about the documentary visit milwaukeepbs.org/kidsincrisis/.
To register for the free showing of “You’re Not Alone” at EAHS, visit tinyurl.com/WalworthYNA.
