WATERTOWN, NY (September 8, 2022) – Each year tens of thousands of Americans take their own lives — there were more than 45,000 deaths by suicide in 2020 alone — and many more have thoughts of suicide. Facing Suicide, a new documentary and impact campaign from Twin Cities PBS, explores the stories of Americans impacted by suicide, and journeys to the frontlines of medical and scientific research to meet those who are working to help people at risk. Timely and informative, the project aims to elevate and destigmatize the topic of suicide, empowering audiences and communities with prevention strategies.
At its center is Facing Suicide, a compelling documentary narrated by Josh Charles (The Good Wife), premiering Tuesday, September 13 at 9 pm on WPBS. The film shares the deeply personal stories of those directly affected by suicide as well as insights from experts and researchers who are making a difference.
“Suicide touches virtually every demographic group in the U.S., and rates have increased significantly since the late 1990s,” said Michael Rosenfeld, project lead and executive producer of the Facing Suicide documentary. “But experts have learned a lot about suicide in the past few years, offering insights that suggest new strategies for prevention. We explore the latest discoveries in our film, woven together with inspiring stories of hope and recovery.”
The Facing Suicide documentary will introduce viewers to a diverse group of Americans who have been affected by suicide, including high school basketball champions on a Native American reservation in Montana, who responded to the suicide crisis in their community with a prevention campaign that went viral; the wife of a Midwestern farmer who is determined that she and her children will live a full and hopeful life after her husband’s death; and a Black woman in Charlotte, NC, who overcame her own mental health challenges to become a suicide prevention advocate. The film also features leading scientists, practitioners, and innovative thinkers whose discoveries in neuroscience, genetics, psychology, and other fields are revealing the true nature of the problem as well as promising solutions.
The reach of the film will be extended by a companion series produced for PBS’s YouTube and streaming platforms. The digital series, premiering September 7th, is hosted by Shani Tran, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor who has worked with clients dealing with self-harm and suicidal ideation across communities and demographics. Each episode features young adults who have attempted or contemplated suicide describing how they found the support and hope they needed to recover. Through their reflections, they reveal the power of friends and peers to recognize the warning signs, reach out, and help.
National outreach partners for the Facing Suicide project are four of the nation’s leading suicide prevention organizations: The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), The Jed Foundation (JED), and Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE).
Facing Suicide is produced for Twin Cities PBS and PBS by Barrat Media, 1904 Media, and JWM Productions. Major funding was provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation, and The Pew Charitable Trusts. Additional funding was provided by Eleanor “Ellie” Crosby; Keith and Mary Bednarowski; Peravid Foundation Agency; David and Karen Olson Family Foundation; and public television viewers.
In addition to Facing Suicide (premiering Tuesday, September 13th at 9:00 pm), WPBS will also be airing the following programs in recognition of this important month:
Speaking Grief (Sunday, September 4th at 12:00 noon) – Through candid personal stories and conversations with experts in the grief field, the film explores why the pain of losing a loved one can be so difficult to understand and discuss.
Scattering CJ (Sunday, September 4th at 1:00 pm) – Grieving mom, Hallie Twomey, put a call out on Facebook after losing her veteran son, CJ, to suicide. Her request: To honor her son’s memory by scattering his ashes in as many amazing places as possible. The request went viral. A global community formed to scatter CJ’s ashes in thousands of locations worldwide, helping Hallie find the courage to become a powerful voice in the fight against suicide.
Losing Lambert: A Journey Through Survival & Hope (Tuesday, September 13th at 10:30 pm) – This documentary explores the heart-rending questions left in the wake of suicide, interviews parents struggling to cope with the pain and stigma and offers hope for the future of suicide prevention.
Hiding in Plain Sight: The Storm (Sunday, September 18th at 3:00 pm) The first two-hour episode of Hiding in Plain Sight, focuses on more than twenty young people who provide an intimate look at what it’s like to experience the symptoms of mental illness, from depression to addiction to suicide ideation. The film includes insights from families, providers, and advocates and explores the impact of childhood trauma, stigma, and social media.
Hiding in Plain Sight: Resilience (Sunday, September 25th at 3:00 pm) In the second episode of Hiding in Plain Sight, our “heroes” speak about finding help and inpatient and/or outpatient treatment. It also explores the criminalization of mental illness, tragedy of youth suicide, and “double stigma” that occurs when mental illness is combined with racial or gender discrimination. Throughout, the interviewees demonstrate the power of resiliency and hope.
If you are thinking about suicide or if you or someone you know is in emotional crisis, call or text 988 any time for confidential, free, crisis support.
About WPBS
WPBS is a PBS station serving approximately 650,000 households throughout Northern New York and Eastern Ontario via cable, satellite, Internet and over-the-air distribution. WPBS is a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate, inform, and engage its two-nation region with exceptional and trusted content across multiple platforms. Its vision is to be the premier provider of extraordinary public media that instills wonder and curiosity across generations and borders. More information about WPBS, including a full channel listing, is available at wpbstv.org, or by following WPBS on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
