Community Awareness Event Features Documentary, Prescription: Suicide?

AUSTIN, TX: Only seven months after the first local screening of the riveting documentary, Prescription: Suicide?, author and speaker, Gwen Olsen, and other local healthcare professionals are bringing the film back to the Austin community by popular demand.

This is an unprecedented feature documentary that tells the personal stories of six American families. Two of the families are from the Austin area. Audiences are allowed inside their private hellish experiences with antidepressant drugs that were prescribed to or used by their children. The narrator of the film is the sister of one of the victims, and renders the heart-wrenching first hand perspective of a surviving sibling.

Olsen, who spent fifteen years as a pharmaceutical sales rep, will serve as keynote presenter for the event. After observing the profit-driven business practices of pharmaceutical companies, Gwen’s own life was personally affected when her niece committed suicide by setting herself on fire while attempting to withdraw from antidepressants. In the research for her book, she discovered that the suicidal tendencies, now well-documented as a side effect of antidepressant medications, had been covered up by the manufacturers of SSRI antidepressants for years.

Inspired to expose her inside perspective and experiences, Gwen wrote a memoir entitled, Confessions of an Rx Drug Pusher. She has a special interest in children’s health, not only because she has observed the increased focus in the marketing of psychotropic drugs for children in recent years, but also because she witnessed the overuse and abuse of psychotropic drugs in the Texas foster care system. Olsen served as a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) with abused and neglected children in Travis County for five years. She says families deserve to be fully informed about the risks associated with these drugs. “The debate over children and psychotropic drug use may well be one of the most important debates of our time.”

Tickets are available for purchase in advance at the offices of the event sponsors: Kapsner Chiropractic of Austin and Armstrong Chiropractic of Cedar Park, or at the door.

Location: Unity Church of the Hills, 9905 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, Texas
Admission: $10.00
Tickets: Call UCOH at 512-335-4449
Date: Saturday, November 11, 2006
Time: 1 - 3 pm

Program addresses kids and antidepressants

A documentary featuring six families from across America and their children's experiences with antidepressants is coming to Bolingbrook today, promising discussion about the medication of America's youth.
The film, directed by Robert Manciero, is called Prescription: Suicide? and looks at families who have lost children to suicide following the prescription and consumption of antidepressants. Dr. Charles Majors of Planet Chiropractic is sponsoring the screening.
"We've had it, as well as the community," Majors said, referring to the amount of medications such as antidepressants and antipsychotics being doled out to people. "We're the ones leading these revolutions of change. We're saying we need to find out what's going on."
The screening will be followed by keynote speaker Gwen Olsen, who wrote the book Confessions of an Rx Drug Pusher and is a former sales representative in the pharmaceutical industry. Majors will round out the program by addressing three questions: What do we need to do next? How are we going to take care of ourselves? And if we are on prescription medications, how can we ween ourselves off of them if we desire to do so?
"What needs to be done is we need to first look at the definition of health," Majors said. It was the prominence of Majors' large natural health-care clinic – Planet Chiropractic – that helped draw a national documentary to the area. Majors stresses he is not completely against prescription medication; rather, he wants people to be educated about alternatives so they can make good decisions.
"My job isn't to say, 'Hey, don't take that,'" he said. "My job is to say, 'Hey, these are warning signs that something's wrong, that the body's not healing.'"

- Contact Kate Houlihan at 630-416-5224 or khoulihan@scn1.com.

IF YOU GO:
What: Free showing of the documentary "Prescription: Suicide?" plus a discussion by former pharmaceutical sales rep Gwen Olsen and talk by local doctor Charles Majors.
Where: Bolingbrook Golf Club, 2001 Rodeo Drive, Bolingbrook.
When: 7:15 p.m. today.

Compelling documentary about antidepressant drugs screens in Chicago

Time: June 5, 2006 - 7pm
Place: Bolingbrook Golf Club
2001 Rodeo Drive
Bolingbrook, IL 60490

Five time Emmy award winning film director Robert Manciero will be present at the Bolingbrook Golf Club on Monday, June 5, at 6 pm, for the screening of his film, Prescription: Suicide? This award-winning film is an unprecedented feature documentary built around intimately told personal stories of six American families, their hopes and experiences with antidepressant drugs prescribed to their children.

Inspirational keynote speaker will be Gwen Olsen, author of the book Confessions of an Rx Drug Pusher whose niece committed suicide by setting herself on fire after attempting to withdraw from a cocktail of psychiatric drugs. Olsen spent fifteen years as a pharmaceutical rep.

The screening is part of an informational evening organized by Planet Chiropractic about the effects of prescription antidepressant drugs on children and families.

Over 17,000,000 American children have been prescribed some type of psychotropic drug. This number has increased over 1000% in the past decade, as pharmaceutical companies seek new customers in a saturated marketplace. With the assistance of state and federal funding, misguided initiatives such as the New Freedoms Commission have targeted 52 million school children to be screened for mental illness in order to further expand that market.

Dr. Majors of Planet Chiropractic said he is concerned that our society is getting sicker and taking more medications than ever before in history. According to Business Week Magazine May 29th edition our medical system is now making health related decisions based on rules and regulations and not scientific evidence. The article explained how doctors are using guesses in treatment which is why medication is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Outraged about this state of affairs, Dr Majors is reaching out to the community to educate and empower them on how to live a healthy life WITHOUT medication! The event is open to all public.

Official Selection of 2006 Beverly Hills Film Festival

 
Premieres April 8th, 2006

An important documentary will debut at the Beverly Hills Film Festival on April 8th. In Prescription:Suicide? six families share very personal, powerful stories that you will never forget. The information and experiences they relate can save lives. The Beverly Hills Film Festival invites you to enjoy a landmark documentary in the fight for human rights, April 8th, 10PM at Clarity Theatre, 100 N. Crescent Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Seating is limited and this showing will sell out. Purchase tickets now by going to www.BeverlyHillsFilmFestival.com or call (310) 779-1206. Ticket price $10.

Six families who experienced having antidepressant drugs prescribed to their children, dramatically describe their feelings and reactions, their relationships with the medical professionals involved, and how they cope with the tasks of daily living and challenges resulting from these medications. Emmy award winning director Robert Manciero tells us "this film lets families directly impacted take the center stage. They share their stories, speaking from their hearts and it is through their experiences that a critical understanding is gained about the use of these medications".

Vividly shot with real families across the United States, it is yet a project with global implications that strikes at the very meaning of medical traditions in our modern society. The film captures a sense of the arguments in an ongoing controversy that affects millions of Americans and ultimately asks the question; can these so-called revolutionary medications be used safely?

Joy Hancock, author of Prescription for Madness, had this to say about the film "Robert Manciero effectively delved into each child’s individual antidepressant nightmare. Jace Vek’s original score provides a dramatic yet soothing background. The home video clips interspersed throughout the film intensifies the raw emotion underlying the film. The children in the film are every parent’s child, your niece or nephew, grandson or granddaughter, brother or sister".

ParticipateNow.net, the grassroots marketing company is coordinating future community screenings of the film around the country focusing on fundraising events for local communities. Their website provides a wealth of links and additional information on antidepressants and how you can ParticipateNow. Copies of the DVD are available for purchase here.

Contact Robert Manciero at Full Vision Productions, 3115 Foothill Blvd - Suite 109 La Crescenta, CA 91214
or email: info@participatenow.net

Glendale News Press
Film explores teen mental health

 
April 6, 2006

Local Emmy Award- winning filmmaker screens work about teen suicide April 8.

By Tracey Laity
LA CRESCENTA -- "Prescription: Suicide?" is not an easy topic, but for parents who are considering medicating their children for mild to more severe anxiety disorders, it may be one worth trying to take in.
The controversial documentary, which screens at the Beverly Hill Film Festival on Saturday, examines the side effects of anti-depressants on children in six families across America.
Five-time Emmy Award-winner Robert Manciero, of La Crescenta, said he took on the project as a labor of love but had no idea how the film would develop until the cameras started rolling.
"I still get emotional every time I see it," said Manciero, who was particularly touched by the story of one 9-year-old girl who was prescribed anti-depressants and developed severe suicidal tendencies.
The film documents the trials and tribulations of children ages 9 to 16, he said.
The only thing they have in common is that they are on anti-depressants and have tried to kill themselves. Some of them succeeded.
"The initial route we were going to take was to do a '20/20'-style documentary with doctors and representatives from pharmaceutical companies, and we even had access to whistle-blowers," he said.
"But we felt it was the wrong way to approach it. We wanted to focus on the kids. When you hear a 9-year-old child telling you about how she wants to jump out of a window, it really gets to you."
Manciero and his co-producer, Rich Samuels, approached more than 60 families before deciding on the final six. Filming began in March of 2005 and the final phase of editing was completed in October.
Samuels described the experience of filming Prescription: Suicide as personally "devastating."
"We were given the privilege of traveling around the county and visiting families throughout the country who have been through this horrendous trauma," he said.
"It took us a while to get a foothold on the subject because it was so difficult to speak to parents about their children dying, about the way they died, how and why."
Despite a successful debut at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival in November, where it scooped the Spirit of Independence Award, Manciero has struggled to have the movie accepted at other independent film festivals.
As a result, supporters of the film rallied together and organized their own screenings at cinemas in Toronto, Florida, Austin and Chicago, he said.
Manciero's wife, Donna, said that the film was an incredibly intense project that had caused her a lot of sleepless nights while her husband and his colleagues were up late editing the final version of the film.
"It's all worth it if we can save one child's life," she said. "It's something that every parent should see and experience because it's really important for parents to listen to their children and pay attention to what they have to say."
"Prescription: Suicide?" is showing, as part of the Beverly Hills Film Festival, at the Clarity Theater, 100 N. Crescent Drive, at 10 p.m.
Tickets are $10. For more information, phone (310) 779-1206 or visit www.beverlyhillsfilmfestival.com or www.prescriptionsuicide.com.

Original story is in the Glendale News Press.

Washington, DC premier of Prescription:Suicide?"

 
Sunday - April 2, 2006

This compelling film is coming to the Washington, DC area. A special viewing will be shown on Sunday, April 2, 2006, in Silver Spring, MD, at 2:30 PM. It runs about one hour, with Q & A following. Come join us for this compelling film, which follows six families dealing with the tragic after affects of antidepreassants and the devastation it brought to each family. It is narrated by Caroline Downing, who now faces life as an only child after losing her little sister to the antidepressant, Zoloft. This award winning film has touched so many already.

Location:
James Hubert Blake High School
300 Norwood Drive
Silver Spring, MD 20905

The high school is easy to find. Take the 495 Beltway to the New Hampshire Ave exit towards Silver Spring. Norwood Rd will be a left hand turn of New Hampshire Ave.

This special screening is organized by Mathy Downing, the Washington, DC director of the group, the International Coalition of Drug Awareness.

Any questions? Contact info@participatenow.net.

March 15, 2006

 
Public Service Announcement - Radio - Austin, TX

Back by popular demand! Following rave reviews from the 120 plus attendees of last Friday’s showing, there will be a repeat screening of the controversial documentary by Robert Manciero, “Prescription: Suicide?”
If you missed the opportunity to join with like-minded individuals in peaceful protest to the labeling and drugging of our children for profit, you now have a second chance.
Please join us on Saturday, March 18, 7:30 pm, at the Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church in Cedar Park.
A Q&A panel will follow the film and will consist of local mental health activists: Dr. John Breeding, Dr. Moira Dolan, Lee Spiller, and members of the two local families featured in the film.
Again, the time is 7:30 pm on Saturday, March 18, at the Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church located at 3315 El Salido Parkway in Cedar Park.
For additional information please visit www.participatenow.net.

March 10, 2006 - Austin, Texas

Unity Church of the Hills, 9905 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, TX 78750. The screening was organized by Gwen Olsen, author of the book "Confessions of an Rx drug pusher". Gwen spent 15 years as a sales rep in the pharmaceutical industry. 100+ people attended the showing and here are a few of the comments:

"The Film is wonderful, the panel was more than I had expected and again helped me learn even more. This is a must see film for anyone taking any SSRI or family member thinking about it. I am just thankful to everyone that is helping get this film out there. It is time for the world to open their eyes to what is going on with all the SSRI'S being given out to our children and also adults. I cannot tell you in words what all we went through with our own daughter. If we are able to just save one child through this, it is all worth it. Our daughter Tonya tells me all the time, 'Mom we did it, we are helping to SAVE children all around the world.' Thank you everyone for letting us be a part of this amazing film. This is and has been a life changing experience for our family and with everyone’s help it can save many more lives."
Cheryl Brooks

"Because the film didn't make the cut at South by Southwest, I half way expected it to be less than decent. Boy was I wrong. Everyone involved did an absolutely wonderful job. It is exquisite, from its rich cinematography (or do they call it videography these days) to its haunting score, to the most important part, the stories these families tell. Rather than pushing you to a conclusion, Robert Manciero lets these families guide the way. This is the documentary I've wanted to make for years. Thanks for bringing this film to town."
L.S.

"Immediately after the film, several people I had invited thanked us for our courage to share our personal tragedy in order to help others. Everyone seemed to agree that the message of the film was important to get out. It was gratifying to see so many people stay and ask questions of the panel. We felt encouraged that over time, society will wake up and realize that the practice of labeling so many of our children as "mentally ill" or "disordered" and giving them dangerous, psychiatric drugs has got to stop. Feeling that we are doing something that might save the life of other children, is frankly what keeps us going. And www.ParticipateNow.net is a powerful tool to enable anyone to feel they are doing something to save children. We can't thank you enough for making this film."
Glenn McIntosh

The panel consisted of Dr. Breeding, Lee Spiller, Dr. Moira Dolan, The Mcintoshes, Tonya Brooks and Robert Manciero.

March 3, 2006 - Toronto, Canada

The film was screened as part of the memorial services organized by Angela Bischoff for environmental activist and leader Tooker Gomberg who died two years ago due to pharma-induced suicide. See http://www.greenspiration.org.

Director Robert Manciero was present and had lots of people come to him afterwards telling him how powerful they thought the film is, how it hit them "right in the gut". They liked the wide range of emotions throughout the film. One person commented they really like how they were left at the end to make their own conclusion.

November 17, 2005

 
IDA supports "Prescription: Suicide?"

The IDA, International Documentary Association, has accepted Robert Manciero into their Financial Sponsorship Program. They are sponsoring "Prescription: Suicide?" for two reasons: Manciero has demonstrated high professional standards and the project promises to be a contribution to both the media arts and cultural history.

The IDA has been existence since 1982, and for some time has allowed members to use its 501(c)(3) status in applying for grants to agencies who require such status. They have agreed to act in that capacity in this instance. Donations to the IDA are tax deductible to the extent allowed by the law.

What this means is that anyone can support "Prescription: Suicide?" by making a tax deductible donation to the IDA earmarking it for this film.

For more information contact:
Robert Manciero (Director)
Email: info@prescriptionsuicide.com

Herald Standard
November 16, 2005

 
Uniontown native wins Emmy

[...]

Jace Vek developed a relationship with Robert Manciero that has continued on to their next project, a feature-length documentary called "Prescription Suicide?'' which debuted Nov. 10 at the Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) International Film Festival.

Information from the film festival's Web site describes "Project Suicide?'' as taking "an intimate look at the personal impact of anti-depressant drugs on children and teen-agers. By weaving together stories of real people and their experiences, the audience gains a sense of both sides of the ongoing controversy. Ultimately, the film prompts the question: Can these revolutionary medications be used safely?''

Vek said the film looks at six children who were prescribed anti-depressants with four of them committing suicide.

"It's an intimate look at the families, told from their perspectives,'' he said. "It's not pro or con. It's a cinematic documentary, so the music is very critical.''

After Fort Lauderdale, the film will place at Sundance and Cannes film festivals.

The full story is at the Herald Standard's website.

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November 13, 2005

 
"Prescription: Suicide?" awarded at Ft Lauderdale International Film Festival

Following positive and emotional reviews "Prescription: Suicide?" had received from the audience with 92% saying they would definitely recommend the film to others and 83% who gave it a "2 thumbs up", the film garnered the "Spirit of Independents" award in its category from the Ft Lauderdale International Film Festival.

The film is an unprecedented feature documentary built around intimately-told personal stories of six American families, their hopes and experiences with anti-depressant drugs prescribed to their children, and as seen through the eyes of the families and told by the families - with no outside characters or narrators interferring in the story telling.

Further screenings and wide distribution will be announced. Please check our website for more details as they develop.

For more information contact:
Robert Manciero (Director)
Email: info@prescriptionsuicide.com

November 11, 2005

 
"Prescription: Suicide?" creates emotional reactions

"Fantastic! Needs to be seen," was one of the many comments after the successful premiere of "Prescription: Suicide?" last night at the 20th Annual Ft Lauderdale International Film Festival.

The film is an unprecedented feature documentary built around intimately-told personal stories of six American families, their hopes and experiences with anti-depressant drugs prescribed to their children.

83% gave the film 2 thumbs up and 92% would definitely recommend the film to others.

Vividly shot with real families across the United States, "Prescription: Suicide?" is yet a project with global implications that strikes at the very meaning of medical traditions in our modern society.

"Non-technical, low key, but got a powerful message across." "Kids do not need prescription drugs to combat life's normal issues." "Very informative. Fabulous, sensitive, informative, well done!" exclaimed an impressed audience many of who had especially flown in for the occasion from California, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Texas, Maryland, Utah and New Jersey.

Said a Ft Lauderdale mother of four: "My 12 year old daughter has problems focusing her attention and I had been contemplating putting her on antidepressants. Thank God that I happened to be at the right place at the right time tonight to see this film. No way will I put my daughter on medication. Thank you very much!"

Further screenings and wide distribution will be announced. Please check our website for more details as they develop.

For more information contact:
Robert Manciero (Director)
Email: info@prescriptionsuicide.com

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P R E S S R E L E A S E

November 1, 2005

F O R   I M M E D I A T E   R E L E A S E

 
Prescription: Suicide? film picks up international support
Premieres Nov 10th, 2005 at the 20th Annual Ft Lauderdale International Film Festival

Despite the hardship Hurricane Wilma still causes in Florida, many notables from around the country will attend the premiere of the documentary Prescription: Suicide? on Nov 10 at the Annual Ft Lauderdale International Film Festival.

Following the first public announcement of the film just two weeks ago, the producers received a flood of calls and emails from around the world congratulating them for addressing such an emotionally charged subject as teen suicide, including Canada, England, Ireland and Israel. “It is pretty amazing, since we launched the website about the film. I never in my wildest dreams thought it would have this impact,” said the film’s director Robert Manciero.

Dr. Ann Blake Tracy will fly in from Utah. She researched antidepressants for 16 years and testified in both criminal and civil cases involving antidepressants for 13 years. She will be joined by several attorneys from California, Texas, Wyoming and Pennsylvania distinguished for their roles in litigation involving antidepressants.

Book author Joy Hancock from North Carolina announced her attendance together with David Hancock, president of Morgan James Publishing. Mrs Hancock just finished writing Prescription for Madness, a mother’s heart wrenching story of a family whose lives were turned upside down when their oldest child, Christopher, was put on antidepressants.

Prescription: Suicide? is a documentary that takes an intimate look at the personal impact of anti-depressant drugs on children and teenagers. It premieres Nov 10, 2005 at 5:30PM at the Coral Ridge AMC 10 Theater, 26th Ave. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306.

Six families who experienced having antidepressants prescribed to their children, dramatically describe their feelings and reactions, their relationships with the medical professionals involved, and how they cope with the tasks of daily living and challenges resulting from these medications. By discussing their emotions and effects these drugs had on their family, they provide insight into this complex part of their lives. Caroline Downing narrates the documentary in a compelling story-telling fashion, delivering a powerful performance that captures the heart and soul of the audience. Caroline is the sister of Candace Downing who committed suicide at age 12 last year after being prescribed Zoloft.

Mathy Downing, mother of Candace, along with Caroline Downing will be at the Ft. Lauderdale premiere and available for questions, comments and media interviews to support the film.

Further screenings and wide distribution will be scheduled after the premiere. Please check our >website for more details as they develop.

To purchase tickets for the premiere showing, visit >FLIFF

For more details about this film and the festival, visit: FLIFF schedule

For direct contact with the filmmakers contact:
Email: info@prescriptionsuicide.com

A statement for the media by the Downing family is >here.

An interview with the filmmakers is >here.

Placed with
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P R E S S R E L E A S E

October 13, 2005

F O R   I M M E D I A T E   R E L E A S E

 
Prescription: Suicide? premieres November 10th, 2005
at the 20th Annual Ft Lauderdale International Film Festival

Prescription: Suicide? is a documentary that takes an intimate look at the personal impact of anti-depressant drugs on children and teenagers. It premieres Nov 10, 2005 at 5:30pm at the Coral Ridge AMC 10 Theater, 26th Ave. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306.

Six families who experienced having antidepressants prescribed to their children, dramatically describe their feelings and reactions, their relationships with the medical professionals involved, and how they cope with the tasks of daily living and challenges resulting from these medications. By discussing their emotions and effects these drugs had on their family, they provide insight into this complex part of their lives. Caroline Downing narrates the documentary in a compelling story-telling fashion, delivering a powerful performance that captures the heart and soul of the audience. Caroline is the sister of Candace Downing who committed suicide at age 12 last year after being prescribed Zoloft.

As the film unfolds, we meet a range of individuals - some shy, some outspoken. Many have experienced tragedies and their pain is undeniable, yet with strength, humor and resilience, they love, care, struggle and speak for those who are no longer with us.

Ultimately they realized that they were given false and insufficient information along with improper diagnoses that turned their worlds upside down and changed their lives forever. Only through their personal perseverance were they able to find out what really happened to their children, uncover the information that was withheld and begin rebuilding faith in their own lives.

Vividly shot with real families across the United States, it is yet a project with global implications that strikes at the very meaning of medical traditions in our modern society. The film captures a sense of the arguments in an ongoing controversy that affects millions of Americans, which ultimately asks the question if these so-called revolutionary medications can be used safely.

"There are millions of children on antidepressants and families and people affected by these medications. The film is for them and for their families", says David Garland, co-producer of Prescription: Suicide?.

Some people call them "miracle" drugs. But can they be safely administered? Can physicians - can the drug manufacturers themselves - adequately understand the risks these newly developed drugs pose to their patients? This film lets families directly impacted take the center stage. They share their stories, speaking from their hearts and it is through their experiences that an understanding is being gained that is essential, even critical, when making a decision about the use of these medications.

Prescription: Suicide? was directed by Robert Manciero, a five time Emmy award winner, teamed up with Rich Samuels who specializes in youth-interest and youth-issue programs which garnered him three Emmys.

Mathy Downing, mother of Candace, along with Caroline Downing will be at the Ft. Lauderdale premiere and available for questions, comments and media interviews to support the film.

Further screenings and wide distribution will be scheduled after the premiere. Please check our >website for more details as they develop.

To purchase tickets for the premiere showing, visit >FLIFF

For more details about this film and the festival, visit: FLIFF schedule

For direct contact with the filmmakers contact:
Email: info@prescriptionsuicide.com

A statement for the media by the Downing family is >here.

An interview with the filmmakers is here.