Farewell to Childhood (Mental Health Film Board, 1951)

Produced by the North Carolina Board of Health and sponsored by the New York-based Mental Health Film Board, this film focuses on "the trials of adolescence," in particular the experiences of a girl named Susan who feels misunderstood by her parents and others. She chafes against their rules, and is also deeply disappointed when she doesn't get the part in the school play that she was expecting. She feels lonely and unimportant. A sympathetic adult from school helps her talk through her concerns, encouraging Susan to try to understand her parents' need to protect her.

Involuntary Hospitalization of the Psychiatric Patient: Should it be Abolished? (USPHS, 1969)

This film presents a panel discussion between Jules H. Masserman, M.D., Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry, Northwestern University Medical School, and Thomas S. Szasz, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, State University of New York. Harold Visotsky, M.D., Chairman, Department of Psychiatry at Northwestern University Medical School, acts as moderator. Dr. Masserman contends that there are certain clinical situations in which an individual must be hospitalized against his will for psychiatric reasons, whereas Dr.

The Steps of Age (Mental Health Film Board, 1950)

Describes the challenges of aging as seen through the eyes of a woman, Mrs. Potter, whose husband becomes listless and unhappy following his forced retirement at age 65. She worries about him and knows that his lack of engagement is not emotionally healthy. When he dies after a few years of retirement, she gives up her home and goes to live with her daughter's family, which also presents challenges. The woman reflects on how to manage these life changes, and how to continue to live a rewarding, engaged life.

Suicide, The Unheard Cry (United States. Department of the Army, 1968)

he purpose of this program is to familiarize viewers with the behavior of suicidal individuals, emphasizing that prevention is possible if the signs of a potential suicide are recognized. The film presents five stories of individuals in the Army who show such signs and eventually take their own lives. In each case portrayed, the person displays a characteristic pattern of change in behavior, providing clues as to a desperate mindset. These clues include the inability to cope with family and work problems, depression, overreaction, lack of appetite, insomnia, and other behaviors.

And I'll Talk to You Tomorrow (Los Angeles County Medical Assn and Trainex, 1975)

This program discusses a growing problem in the U.S., that of suicide. Several people tell their stories on camera, relating the life events and feelings that led them to self-harm, how they felt afterward. and how their perspectives may have changed since. The video drops in on a series of telephone conversations between a suicide prevention hotline counselor and a distraught woman who calls regularly. The program identifies signs to watch for in a despondent person that might indicate they are contemplating suicide.

Booked for Safekeeping (Louisiana Association for Mental Health, 1959)

This film was made to show policemen proper procedures for handling mentally disturbed citizens who are causing harm to themselves or others in public. Demonstrations include work with the mentally challenged, spousal abusers, suicidal citizens, and those with senile dementia. The film stresses working with partners or with teams to best handle a volatile situation. Learn more about this film and search its transcript at NLM Digital Collections: http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/9717200.

A Way out of the Wilderness (U.S. Rehabilitation Services Admin., 1968)

This program describes and illustrates steps being taken by the Plymouth State Home and Training School, Northville, Michigan, to bring mentally retarded children out of the wilderness into the mainstream of life. The wilderness is considered the rather bleak institutions in which society has attempted to isolate these children. At the Plymouth State Home and Training School, the children are encouraged to become involved in meaningful goals, not just in passing the time. Their daily activities are carefully structured but not regimented.

The Battered Child (National Medical Audiovisual Center, 1969)

The purpose of this presentation is to describe the role of the medical examiner and describe and demonstrate clinical findings which should alert the medical examiner to the possibility that death has resulted from battering. This objective is achieved with the aid of photographs of clinical examples and views of gross specimens. In this presentation Dr. Milton Helpern first discusses the role of the medical examiner investigating the cause of death.

Angry Boy (National Association for Mental Health, 1951)

This film examines child psychology through the story of a boy named Tommy Randall who has behavioral issues and has been caught stealing in school. The principal suggests to Tommy's mother, Mrs. Randall, that she send him to counseling. She reluctantly agrees, and she, too, speaks with a social worker about their home life. The counseling sessions are enjoyable and helpful for Tommy. The therapist and social worker suspect that Tommy's mother and his home life are the cause of his troubles. Mrs. Randall's mother lives with the family, and still treats her daughter like a child. Mrs.

Midsummer's Nightmare (USPHS and American Red Cross, 1961)

This film illustrates how quickly the pleasures of the beach, lake, pool, and water sports can turn dangerous when safety practices are not followed, such as wearing a life jacket, maintaining a close eye on small children, and learning how to swim, preferably when young. The film notes that drowning is second only to auto accidents as a cause of fatal accidents. The film also urges that one never swim alone, nor overestimate stamina. A swimmer can overdo it and become weak.

Childhood Cancer: Current Outlook (USPHS; American Radium Society, 1969)

This film was created as a professional educational extension of the American Radium Society on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. The film stresses the need for multiple disciplines to work together to treat childhood cancer. The three disciplines represented on this panel discussion were: surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Three childhood cancer cases were discussed: a 9-month old with a tumor on the right kidney, a 7-month old with a tumor in the left groin, and a 10-year-old boy with a tumor on the arm.

Observations Concerning the Phenomenology of Early Oral Behavior (Menninger Foundation, 1951)

This film provides descriptive documentation of variations in oral behavior in infants under 24 weeks of age. Infants are shown at different stages, moving their arms and legs, placing fingers, toes, and other objects in their mouths, licking items, grabbing a ring suspended above them, and biting a sterling silver cup. Behavior prior to feeding and after feeding is shown, with variations in infant response.

Homefires (US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare, 1963)

This film profiles a Homemaker Service that provides assistance to families and individuals in their own homes. The camera follows one homemaker as she cares for the families assigned to her. She is shown as she shops, prepares meals, and does light housework for an elderly couple who would otherwise be unable to live on their own. The homemaker works under the supervision of a public health nurse. When a Puerto Rican mother of six is injured, the homemaker looks after the children and helps with the housework as the mother recuperates.

Preface to a Life (U.S. Public Health Service, 1950)

This film stars a young boy named Michael Thompson, who begins as a healthy baby. As he ages, the narrator explains the many people and places in his life that will be influential. He introduces the parents, and explains that they have two very different dreams for Michael - his mother wants him to stay young and needy forever, and his father wants him to grow up and become a better, more accomplished man than himself. When Michael is a toddler, he wakes up in the night afraid, and the narrator wonders if Michael's mother will baby him or if his father will scold him for being afraid.