Update on “The S Word”
The documentary film “The S Word,” featuring stories of courage and insight shared by survivors of suicide attempts, will be screened at Clover Theater in Cloverdale on March 19 at 7 p.m. It will be hosted by the Alexander Valley Film Society and sponsored by the Healthcare Foundation Northern Sonoma County.
This film is particularly timely, given our community’s renewed focus on mental health issues and trauma stemming from the recent fires.
We first became aware of this film back in 2015, when the newsletter article below was written. Given both the timeliness and timelessness of this topic, and its importance as a springboard for discussion and education, we are reposting the original newsletter article from 2015.
For more information about the screening, click here.
Newsletter article
Originally published May 26, 2015
A new documentary, partially funded by Sonoma County philanthropists, highlights suicide prevention and stigmas. “The S Word” challenges us to look deeply at our greatest fears and to break the silence surrounding suicide in America.
Every 16 minutes, someone in the United States dies from suicide. It is the 10th leading cause of death in America. Like cancer or mental illness, suicide has affected you or someone you know.
The film takes an intimate look into the hearts and minds of suicide attempt survivors, and their stories will be portrayed with all of the complexity, pain and even humor of their experiences. It will also explore the shame and confusion of those left behind – and ultimately seeks to answer the question: is suicide preventable?
Community Foundation Sonoma County became aware of “The S Word” when a donor brought the film to our attention. Through the process of exploring the interests of our donors, we often deepen our understanding of an issue and a donor’s passion. We are always grateful to build our own knowledge of these areas and facilitate conversations to effect change.
