Thursday, October 1 - Essay Contest Deadline

New for 2009 is an essay contest in which applicants discuss Hurry Down Sunshine and ways in which the Danbury/WestConn community promotes or could promote awareness of mental health issues. There are three categories: Danbury High School student, WCSU student, and community adult. A $200 cash prize for the winning essay in each category will be awarded. Winners will also join Michael Greenberg for dinner on Oct. 28. Essays may be up to 1,000 words and must be received no later than October 1. Click on Essay Contest on the left for more details and the entry form. More information (PDF flyer)

Monday, October 5, 7:00 p.m. - Awakenings (1990, 121 min.)
WCSU, Midtown campus, Student Center Theater

Loosely based on a true story, Awakenings tells the story of a Bronx psychiatric hospital neurologist, Dr. Malcolm Sayer (Robin Williams), who is put in charge of several seemingly catatonic patients.  When the doctor is given permission to test a new drug on one of his patients, he chooses Leonard Lowe (Robert DeNiro), who begins to respond and come out of his shell.  Williams and DeNiro shared the National Board of Review’s Best Actor Award for their performances in this film directed by Penny Marshall. More information (PDF flyer)

Wednesday, October 7, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Author Talk: Dr. Richard Frank
WCSU, Midtown campus, Warner Hall

Limited seating — RSVP required, call (203) 837-8556. Dr. Richard Frank discusses his recently published book, Fighting Cancer with Knowledge and Hope, a guide for patients, caregivers and health professionals that allows patients and family members to understand important concepts about treatment and care. Dr. Frank provides a ‘how-to’ approach for those involved in the decision-making that occurs when confronted with a diagnosis that can lead to a bewildering array of questions and options.

Wednesday, October 14, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. - Workshop: “What Does It Feel Like?”
Danbury High School Media Center

The Communication Arts Department at Danbury High School invites participants to explore the themes of mental illness through hands-on improvisational games and activities. For ages 14 and over. No acting experience required.

Thursday, October 15, 7:00 p.m. - Science at Night Program: Author Talk and Book Signing: Pamela Spiro Wagner and Carolyn Spiro, MD, authors of Divided Minds
WCSU, Midtown campus, Science Building, Room 125

Divided Minds is a dual memoir authored by identical twins, one of whom is schizophrenic, the other, a psychiatrist. Told in the alternating voices of each sister, Divided Minds is a heartbreaking account of the far reaches of madness, as well as the ambivalence and loyalty that exists between twins. More information (PDF flyer)

Monday, October 19, 7:00 p.m. - Girl, Interrupted (1999, 127 min.)
WCSU, Midtown campus, Student Center Theater

In 1967, 19-year-old Susanna (Winona Ryder) is diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and committed to the Claymore Hospital, and she spends the next 18 months struggling with her troubled psyche and the bizarre world of the institution. When she realizes that one of the other patients (Angelina Jolie) is potentially dangerous, Susanna begins to work harder with her psychiatrist (Vanessa Redgrave) and the nurse on the ward (Whoopi Goldberg). But she soon learns that getting out of the hospital is not as easy as getting in. More information (PDF flyer)

Wednesday, October 21, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Health and Wellness Fair
WCSU, Midtown campus, Student Center

Nourish your body, mind and soul at the Health and Wellness Fair! Learn more about depression, anxiety, addictions, interpersonal violence and safety; get a massage and relieve your stress; get your blood pressure checked; get a flu shot, plus dozens of free give-aways, tips and informational booths.

Monday, October 26, 7:00 p.m. - The Soloist (2009, 109 min.)
WCSU, Midtown campus, Student Center Theater

Featuring two wonderful performances by its lead actors, this movie tells the true story of a Los Angeles Times reporter, Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.), who meets a homeless man playing, rather well, a two-stringed violin in a downtown park.  Lopez learns that the man is Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx), a former musical prodigy whose bouts with schizophrenia landed him on the streets after two years of schooling at Juilliard. Lopez writes a column about Ayers and gradually becomes more and more involved in his life as he attempts to make Ayers’ life better. More information (PDF flyer)

Tuesday, October 27, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. - Program: “In Our Own Voice”
Danbury Public Library, Farioly Program Room

A unique public education program, developed by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, in which two speakers share compelling personal stories about living with mental illness and achieving recovery. Audience members are encouraged to offer feedback and ask questions; the more audience members become involved, the closer they come to understanding what it is like to live with a mental illness and grapple with recovery. More information (PDF flyer)

Wednesday, October 28, 7:30 p.m. - Author Talk: Michael Greenberg
WCSU, Midtown campus, Ives Concert Hall

Michael Greenberg will discuss his book, and a Q & A with the audience will immediately follow his presentation. More information (PDF flyer)