This film does a tremendous job showing what raising a child with mental illness really is like. It is a film I recommend to ALL families and its hopeful message needs to be shared by everyone. It is based on a true story, but anyone can identify with some role in the film, whether it is the child, the parents, the siblings, the therapists, the friends, the doctors, the teachers or the neighbors. Since 50 percent of all lifetime cases of mental illness appears before the age of 14, not enough is being done to identify, diagnose and help these children and their families. I love when actress Kathy Najimy (as the therapist) says, "Y'all can"t do this alone, it is a family effort". Hopefully the film can help open the door to early intervention, so that mental health becomes regarded as important as physical health! All the actor performances were incredibly realistic, and a special mention to Cheryl Allison as the mom, Noah Silverman as Timothy 14 and David Schallipp as Timothy at 10.
... View MoreI see myself in this play as Nick unfortunately.True he suffers from emotional imbalance but in today's age,l labeling with psychiatric disorders is a crime.Talk therapy would work with a better therapist and no need for dangerous meds.I was also prescribed meds and saw the light when I realized issues were not dealt with...I do see common character of a mother being so lost and so not in tune to emotional issues and kudos to you, that is common and classic.If mother would be educated about REAL mental challenges, a better psychoanalytic approach would save the kid.I'm not an activist but if you want to show a movie without caring for a positive or negative position, it's well played. However, when I see Mental Health Awareness comments and a seemingly eye opening intention, I cannot ignore my comment.I'm a former depressive and anxiety sufferer doing better with less meds (going off completely after 23 years, with god's help) so I have a voice.Sorry guys but it's a hell of an intriguing story with bad message.Thanks for listening.
... View MoreI thought this film as a powerful story of the struggle many people go through with having a family member suffer from Mental Illness. They are people we see every day. I am so happy to see it's success as this subject can never get enough attention. There is still stigma and not enough services and change is needed. The acting was so well done I thought I was watching like a fly on the wall their struggles. Seeing the recovery of this young man was very hopeful as there are enough stories that don't end as well. The reason I believe is again due to stigma and lack of properly funded services. When will we see that Mental Illness are Addiction need to be properly funded and quality professionals need to be appropriately compensated for the hard and often heartbreaking work they do??
... View MoreThis film is an honest, gripping portrayal of what it's like to learn that your child has mental illness. As the parents struggle to come to grips with their family's new reality, they face increasing social ostracism from their friends and neighbors. The soccer game scene seemed to be pulled right from my own life. And the siblings' frustration is completely understandable. Mental illness affects the whole family. Far too many families suffer in shame and silence. Yet "No Letting Go" also offers real hope. With treatment, children can survive and even thrive. I am so grateful for this film--my biggest fear is that the people who need to see it most (those who are not living with this and who continue to blame parents for their children's brain disease) will not see the film.
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