Full Circle (Mental Health Film Board, 1973)

This film dramatizes the benefits of group therapy in the psychiatric ward of a hospital. Patients discuss their problems with each other and with hospital staff. A large portion of the film focuses on a young woman who is having difficulty obtaining and keeping her job after her discharge from the hospital. Through additional group therapy and private discussions with her therapist, she finds ways to cope with her anxiety.

Convulsive Shock Therapy in Affective Psychoses (Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital, 1943)

This film depicts patients who have been successfully treated for severe depression and manic states with convulsive shock therapy, showing their behavior prior to and following treatment. Patients range in age from 42 to 58 and are in varying states of depression, some suicidal and some with self-mutilating tendencies. The after-scenes show the patients’ improved moods and well-being. The film also shows the effects of metrazol and electroshock convulsions in curarized patients.

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 Cry for Help (Louisiana Association for Mental Health, 1962)

This film depicts several situations in which police must contend with suicides or suicide attempts. The situations include those who attempt suicide while in jail, a young man in college who uses a rifle, a young woman living at home using pills, a middle-aged man who contemplates using a handgun when he finds out he has a severe health problem, and another woman who slashes her wrists. Produced by the Louisiana Association for Mental Health with support from the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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(link is external).

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.

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.

Family Planning? (National Education & Information Films Ltd, Bombay, India, 1952)

The necessity of family planning and population control in India are presented. Children suffer in families that cannot fully support them, and the country as a whole cannot achieve prosperity when jobs, food supplies, medical care, and housing are not plentiful enough for a large and rapidly growing population. The film urges planned parenthood as one element of the solution to healthier children and a healthier nation.