“There’s a lot of hope, because there are a lot of families that live with mental illness and have very good lives.” Janice Holmes, Family Services Program Manager, TMHA “The stories in this film made me realize how painful mental illness is for the families…”

Neil Travis, Academy Award-Winning Film Editor (Dances With Wolves)

If you experience any difficulty viewing the video clip, please click here.

Our lives are made of myriad experiences – some we treasure, (others are more difficult) some we try to forget. As family members who have loved ones with a mental illness, we hold tight our good memories and look to others for help through difficult times. Sadly, the stigma of mental illness extends to family members, and the support we so desperately need – support that would otherwise be offered if our family member had other illness – just isn’t always there.

Join us for a retelling of our lives. We are the families of those who live with mental illness. We have faced discrimination as parents. We have worked with our siblings toward recovery. As partners and spouses, we’ve learned that love has many meanings. These are our journeys of despair, hope, and survival.

The Shaken Tree wins:

“Central Coast Filmmakers Showcase - Best Film 30 min. and Under”

Eli Liliy and Company 2008 "Heroes In The Fight" Media Award

At the SLO International Film Festival!

Click here to request information about upcoming showings of The Shaken Tree: Families Living With Mental Illness.

Click here to see a large printable version of The Shaken Tree flyer.

Emails sent from viewers to Mary Garcia-Lemus, Film Director

“I just wanted to let you know I got the chance to see your documentary. …We even got the chance to meet the woman who is in it [Janice Holmes, Lead Family Advocate] that works at Transitions Mental Health. It was awesome to get to hear more about her story and about the documentary in general. The Shaken Tree was so powerful, it definitely gave me chills and opened my eyes to many more aspects of mental health and the toll it takes. You and everyone who worked on it did an awesome job, and it’s so great to hear that it is being given so many awards and honors! You undoubtedly deserve it. Hope all is going well, and I look forward to seeing the next edition!”

• Erin M.

“I just wanted to tell you that we watched the video you made on mental illness from the families perspective today in a meeting at work… The video was done amazingly well and really spoke truth in a way that was able to reach everyone here from the Admin staff to the Social Workers. As a family member of someone who has been struggling with a mental illness for as long as I can remember, I just wanted to say thank you to you and your husband (José Mejia Lemus, Producer) and everyone else who made that film possible! Thank You!!”

• Jenn B.

Comments and Reviews

“I wish everyone in the community could see The Shaken Tree - it is terrific.”

• Julia Miller
  Program Manager, Adult Services
  County Department of Social Services
  San Luis Obispo, CA

Expert Contribution

Lisa Firestone, PhD., Director of Research & Education, Glendon Association Violence & Suicide Prevention Alliance; Marcia McDonald, PhD., Licensed Psychiatrist, San Luis Obispo Behavioral Health Services; Silvia Ortiz, PhD., Licensed Psychologist, Private Practice, San Luis Obispo, CA; Janice Holmes, Family Services Program Manager, Transitions-Mental Health Association; Michael Ball, Forensics Team Coordinator, San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health Services.

Transitions-Mental Health Association would like to thank our primary sponsor, the San Luis Obispo County Department of Behavioral Health for its generous support and funding through the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA).

Sponsors

Family Advocacy Program, Transitions-Mental Health Association; "Illumination Films" Producer, Jose M. Lemus and Director Mary Garcia-Lemus; Sherry Seehof; San Luis Print & Copy; Gay and Lesbian Alliance of the Central Coast; William Guion, Photographer.