The Barbara Schneider Foundation is making a new documentary. It is about the different interacting pieces of the mental health system, and probably will be finished sometime in November. If you attended my book signing party last month, then you may have noticed the film crew there (they were only present for half the party and left after my first speech). As it happens, I will be featured in the documentary, and besides filming at the party, the filmmakers interviewed me (and my parents and Benji) beforehand to talk about life with schizophrenia, the book, and the advocacy work I do.

I spoke with one of the filmmakers today, and she said she wanted to interview me some more. So, this weekend I will be interviewed for this documentary again. My hope is that it helps reduce stigma and inspires hope, but even more so than that, I hope it helps in a really practical way showing how all the players in the mental health system can cooperate together to help the most marginalize group in the U.S.

When I was on Twin Cities Live the other day I was joking with everyone that I was now a television star. With this documentary, I'm going to have to say that now I'm a movie star too. But don't worry, I will remember you when I'm famous. More seriously, I don't care for any notoriety, and would prefer to stay in the shadows. Even in the style of clothes I have always worn, my goal has always been to blend in and not be noticed or draw attention to myself. This is especially true when it comes to mental illness, for that kind of fame is infamy—who wants to be well-known for being schizophrenic? Certainly not me! If I'm helping in some way and can see a good enough reason (as I can with this documentary), then I will begrudgingly do it.

Once the documentary is finished, I will try to post my segment on my blog so that you all can see it right away.