Give an Hour Offers Mental Health Resources to Survivors
CLARKSBURG, Md – (Jan. 20, 2023) – unMASKing HOPE debuts on public television January 23. Give an Hour partners with this trauma-based documentary to provide survivors with mental health and wellness resources. Visit the documentary Resource page for trauma-related educational information.
unMASKing HOPE is an inspirational documentary from filmmaker and Give an Hour ambassador Eric Christiansen that follows a diverse group of trauma survivors and shares their healing journeys. From survivors of 9/11 and mass shootings to combat soldiers and victims of sexual abuse, this full-length film offers a glimpse into the personal struggle of these individuals and how each learns to put aside the masks they hide behind to reveal a message of hope.
“This partnership allows us to reach a wider audience by ensuring the appropriate and necessary mental health tools are readily available to those who need them,” said Dr. Trina Clayeux, CEO of Give an Hour. “Eric’s brand of storytelling creates a novel opportunity for Give an Hour to lend its expertise in helping survivors heal through their trauma.”
Participants featured in the film include Give an Hour’s own Molly Maurer who survived mass shootings at both the Route 91 Harvest Festival and Borderline Bar & Grill; Heidi Bender Collen, a Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting survivor; Lyman Montgomery, a child sexual assault survivor; Rebecca Lazinger, a 9/11 survivor; Jack Delaney, a 9/11 first responder; and Sandra Lee, a veteran of the Iraq War who is a survivor of military sexual trauma, post-traumatic stress and a traumatic brain injury.
The film also offers insight and expertise from mental health experts to educate viewers about the struggles faced by these survivors as they try to heal their wounds.
“I am honored to be able to share these incredible stories of surviving trauma and finding hope with public television audiences,” said Eric Christiansen, unMASKing HOPE’s writer, director and producer.
unMASKing HOPE debuts on public television in Los Angeles, New York, Washington, Chicago, Baltimore, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Spokane, Boise and Portland. Contact your local public television station to request the film be shown in your area. Public Broadcasting Service members can view the film via their app.
— 30 —
About Give an Hour
Founded in 2005, Give an Hour® is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming mental health by building strong and healthy individuals and communities. We provide no-cost counseling through a network of volunteer mental health professionals and empower community through collaborative programs, peer support and educational opportunities that benefit both clients and providers. Our efforts focus on people impacted by military service, mass violence, the opioid epidemic, and interpersonal violence. For more information, visit: giveanhour.org.
For more information, contact:
Kim Antley, kantley@giveanhour.org
Kristin Richardson, krichardson@giveanhour.org
