Based on a true story, the movie, No Letting Go, does a great job offering support to caregivers and families with loved ones living with a mental disorder. This film depicts the mayhem mental illness can cause within a home with candid honesty. I could relate to the loss, confusion, fears, exasperation, despair, and uncertainty these parents, Catherine and Henry, faced with the onset of their young son Tim’s mental illness. This movie helps you understand you are not alone despite the loneliness you have endured due to mental illness.
Tim’s mental health declines despite being given excellent care
Tim’s mental health declines despite being given excellent care.
- Catherine promptly responded by taking Tim to a professional counselor and later to a psychiatrist when he began to have symptoms of anxiety.
- Catherine received support from her husband to enroll Tim in a private school with the hope Tim would improve with the extra one on one attention. Although there was some financial stress for this family, Henry was fortunate enough to have a good job to pay for Tim’s expensive needed special care.
- Catherine read and studied mental illness trying to understand Tim’s mental health challenges and how she could support him best.
- Catherine was loving and patient
Although Catherine followed all the recommendations to help her son, he continued to decline.
Letting go of guilt – Based on a True Story, No Letting Go
For those that carry guilt about things you did not do or were not financially able to do, this true movie, No Letting Go, gives mental illness support by showing although this family could afford quality treatments for Tim, he continued to decline and struggle. Catherine was even fortunate enough to be a stay-at-home mom who provided Tim a safe, secure environment as his full-time caregiver, but even this mother’s loving, dedicated and tenacious care did not stabilize him or make him well. Because of Catherine and Henry’s love for their child, they refuse to quit searching for solutions.
Don’t beat yourself up!
All the strength you can muster is needed to cope with the unpredictable swings of mental illness. Try NOT to fall into the trap of beating yourself up. This uses up energy so critically needed to take care of your family and to make very important decisions concerning your mentally ill loved one’s future. Doing the best you can has to be good enough. The majority of mothers have to work, and many of us cannot afford expensive mental illness treatments, but you must not blame yourselves for your child’s mental illness because of limited resources. You must not compare your unique mental health challenges to others; there are too many variables to accurately make fair comparisons. If you would like to read some of my “coping with mental illness tips” CLICK HERE.
Prayers
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16
Whatever I lack and despite my weaknesses, I pray for all those suffering from debilitating mental illnesses will be healed.
Trailer for Movie, Based on a True Story, No Letting Go
TCPalm.com, part of the USA Today Network, features an article about the true story movie, No Letting Go.
One in 5 children will develop a mental illness in their lifetime, with more than half developing the illness by the time they are 14 and 75 percent by age 24. In the United States, 14 million kids annually are affected. Suncoast purchased the licensing rights to screen the film through the generosity of longtime supporter Martin Health System.
Suncoast Mental Health Center has been the leader in mental health awareness and education for several years offering lectures, symposia and community events such as this film screening since beginning its outreach efforts.
You can watch “No Letting Go” on YouTube.
