City of Rochester
News Release
City’s Department of Recreation & Human Services to Host Virtual Screening of Documentary Exploring Revolutionary Approach to Solving Country’s Mental Health Crisis
(Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020) – The City’s Department of Recreation & Human Services (DHRS) will host a virtual screening of a trailblazing documentary that focuses on the decriminalization of mental health in the Miami-Dade community. The documentary will be shown during a Zoom webinar at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8. The public is invited to participate, but pre-registration is required at https://cityofrochester.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZCTBg5-rTA2zLslCQmyqqA. Sign language interpretation will be provided.
“The Definition of Insanity” explores the groundbreaking work of the Miami-Dade Criminal Mental Health Project (CMHP) and their revolutionary approach to solving the mental health crisis in America. Produced, directed and written by filmmakers Gabriel London and Charlie Sadoff, with support from the Matthew Harris Ornstein Memorial Foundation and narration by Rob Reiner, the documentary takes an in-depth look at how the once-failed Miami-Dade mental health system was transformed into a potential role model for the rest of the nation.
“As the Rochester area continues to grapple with issues surrounding effective mental health care, this screening will provide an excellent opportunity to examine how another community has successfully implemented meaningful change,” said Dr. Daniele Lyman-Torres, Commissioner of DHRS. “And, as we prepare to launch our Crisis Intervention Team, having this chance for dialogue with people who were involved in Miami-Dade’s transformation, along with input from members of our own community, presents a valuable and exciting opportunity to exchange ideas and information.”
“The Definition of Insanity” focuses on Judge Steven Leifman’s innovative efforts to prevent people with mental illness from being treated like criminals. Judge Leifman, along with a dedicated group of public servants and committed volunteers, has developed programs and methods that steer people with mental illness away from incarceration and toward recovery.
The virtual screening event will also feature an introduction from Judy Harris and Norman Ornstein, President and Vice President of the Matthew Harris Ornstein Memorial Foundation. At the conclusion of the documentary, a panel Q & A session with members of the cast will take place. Participants will be able to submit questions to the panelists, but time limitations may not allow for all questions to be answered.
The official trailer for “The Definition of Insanity” can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoqD3AhjS6M.
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News Media: For more information, contact Bridgette Burch White at (585) 428-6064 or Bridgette.Burchwhite@cityofrochester.gov.