Driftwood

Under the expert tutelage and directorshop of filmmaker Norm Bergkvist, Driftwood Media has changed from a concept into a working project and thriving entity at Forward House. Working with both members and volunteers, film concepts are turned into completed documentaries. The documentaries focus primarily on various aspects of mental health and the individuals who cope everyday with mental health challenges.

Twice yearly, beginner film courses are offered to clients, staff, and volunteers. New course offerings for the spring of 2009 will be posted on this web site. Please check back for details.

'FIRST CONTACT' Educational Video Series (5 films)

[Please help to support our work by making a small donation through Pay Pal for the films you watch.]

1) Lookin' in the Mirror: Facing Addiction

Addiction - Early experimentation with substances, peer involvement, visual cues from advertisements, and possession of an addictive personality all contribute to the likelihood of developing addiction. The addictive personality is characterized by, or susceptible to, addiction.

[Suggested Donation: $.99]

2) Panic & Anxiety: Living with Fear

Panic & Anxiety - There is a sense of impending doom and an urgent need to escape. There may be a feeling of dissolving into nothingness, of losing one's energy/identity, the point that one fears one may cease to exist. One may well experience the fear of "going crazy" or dying.

[Suggested Donation: $.99]

3) Up & Down: Living with BiPolar

BiPolar - It is about the most treatable of psychiatric illnesses. It can be thought of as a spectrum i.e., depression, the blues, normal mood, hypomania, mania. It is hard on many people surrounding the one with bipolar as there are often serious behavioural problems exhibited.

[Suggested Donation: $.99]

4) Pickin' Up the Pieces: Living with Depression

Depression - It may be reactive, a response to an event or events usually incurring a loss, or it may be unrelated to a specific trigger. Counseling is often indicated. A combination of counseling and anti-depressant medication may be indicated.

[Suggested Donation: $.99]

5) Living with the Voices: Facing Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia - It is a mental illness that affects approximately 1 in 100 people worldwide regardless of race, culture, socioeconomic status or gender. It involves radical changes in perception and thoughts in the form of delusions, hallucinations and bizarre thoughts.

[Suggested Donation: $.99]

'SELF-HELP' Educational Video Series (4 films)

[Please help to support our work by making a small donation through Pay Pal for the films you watch.]

1) Discover Art Therapy:

Art Therapy is not about criticizing or interpreting someone's art. It is about the supportive process of facilitating another person via the process of witnessing or accompanying others on their journey as they helping learn to express their emotions through their art.

[Suggested Donation: $.99]

2) Discover Holistic Therapy:

Holistic Therapyis about learning to explore yourself through the use of holistic techniques that focus on the body, breathing, and visualizations. These techniques can benefit everyone willing to practice.

[Suggested Donation: $.99]

3) Discover Alternative Therapy:

Alternative Therapy is about a wonderful collection of tools that are available to everyone needing to reduce stress, and relax more.

[Suggested Donation: $.99]

4) Self-Discovery in Action:

Self-Discovery in Action is about recovery - recovery from alcoholism - and the re-discovery of self through group work and physical activity.

[Suggested Donation: $.99]