SAMARITANS LINKS WITH MOVIE ‘SICK’

Samaritans is linking with a new short film ‘SICK’ to highlight some of the issues that people contact the emotional health charity for support on and encourage people to get in touch sooner rather than later.

Director Mike Rymer has worked on ‘SICK’ with producer Christine Hartland to raise awareness of mental health issues and depression in particular.

Samaritans PR Manager Mike Cobb said: “’SICK’ is a powerful depiction of how the lives of people everywhere are affected in the long and short term by mental health issues. I thought that the way the film chose to portray links between Brian and Amanda's illnesses was particularly insightful. It is a compelling and moving work that will resonate with its audiences.”

Samaritans has had an advisory involvement with ‘SICK’ from the early script stage of the production. The 15 minute film depicts the experience of depression and alcoholism which have left Brian’s daughter, Amanda, relying on him for her son’s welfare.

When Brian’s wife dies and he places the boy into social care, Amanda’s world falls apart and she and her father don’t speak for 15 years until she gathers the strength to finally visit him.

'SICK' is a challenging film, its very title is confronting for a start. It depicts a family dealing with loss and shows differing attitudes towards mental illness. Its script won financial support from Film London and The London Borough of Wandsworth and it was short listed by The UK Film Council's Completion Fund. The film has been made possible due to a grant from South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.

'SICK' has already been entered into the Cannes Film Festival and will launch to the International Festival Circuit this summer.' It is then expected to play to audiences around the world ahead of the London Film Festival and an entry to BAFTA next winter.

Samaritans and Befrienders Worldwide contact information is included on the film credits to direct audiences to volunteers who can provide support to anyone needing help.

Note to Editors:
It is the aim of Samaritans to make emotional health a mainstream issue. Samaritans' vision is for a society where fewer people die by suicide because people are able to share feelings of emotional distress openly without fear of being judged. Samaritans believes that offering people the opportunity to be listened to in confidence, and accepted without prejudice, can alleviate despair and suicidal feelings.

Samaritans is a registered charity, founded in 1953, which offers 24-hour confidential emotional support to anyone in emotional distress. The service is offered by 17,000 trained volunteers and is entirely dependent on voluntary support. Across the UK, you can call Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 (1850 60 90 90 in the Republic of Ireland) for the price of a local call. You can also write to Samaritans at Chris, PO Box 9090, Stirling, FK8 2SA, send an e-mail to jo@samaritans.org or if you are deaf or hard of hearing use the single national minicom number 08457 90 91 92.