A Source of Hope for All touched by mental illness

In May 2006, ASHA International launched Culture Counts, a signature program to promote mental health awareness within cultural minorities and enhance cultural sensitivity among mental health providers.

On May 6^th, 2006, ASHA International presented DEVRAI, an award-winning Indian movie about a family’s struggle with schizophrenia, at the Oregon Health & Sciences University auditorium in Portland, Oregon, USA. The film received rave reviews.

The World Health Organization's International (WHO) Pilot Study on Schizophrenia, which examined the condition and recovery rates of nearly 3,300 schizophrenia patients in a dozen countries around the world, concluded that patients in poorer countries, such as India, led comparably better lives.

DEVRAI provided a rare glimpse into the underlying social factors contributing to WHO's findings. 

DEVRAI

(A Marathi movie with English subtitles) 

Winner of 16 Awards including the Presidential Silver Medal, India

A film that demystifies schizophrenia, a mental disorder, giving it a human face. The film operates on the simple theme of a family coming to terms with the disease and learning to live with it, realizing that the disease is not curable, but can be controlled with medication. There is no permanent solution to it, only momentary reprieves … 

 

 

What people are saying… 

"I viewed Devrai and found it to be an accurate picture of one of the many faces of schizophrenia.   It stands out in my mind because unlike other movies like Shine and Beautiful Mind the main character is not a superstar, but just an ordinary person like the majority of those affected with schizophrenia."

 
Thomas W. Dodson, M.D., P.C. 
Chair, Public Information & Education Committee 
Oregon Psychiatric Association 

The screening of the movie Devrai was very beneficial and made me more aware of how culture and tradition play a large role in the view, treatment, and support of patients with Schizophrenia. The panel discussion after the movie was particularly valuable because the speakers could share their own experiences and expertise about the disease. As a nursing student the overall presentation was very helpful in enabling me to understand how one disease not only affects the patient, but also affects the family and friends in different ways. This experience will help me to shape my nursing practice in the future and I hope that it can be presented in more academic settings. 

Ashwini Hoskote, MPH

Nursing Student,

Oregon Health and Sciences University 

I found the event to be very enjoyable, engaging and informative.  The movie demonstrates the multi-leveled complexity of the disease on the individual and family very effectively.  I raised a step-daughter with a schizophrenia diagnosis and could relate to the families frustration and stress.  I would like to extend a thank you to you and every one involved in creating that wonderful learning experience. 

Jim Wilson

Nursing Student,

Oregon Health and Sciences University 

I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude for your involvement with the screening of Devrai. I found this movie to be a profound and insightful journey into the personal experiences of both the individual and the loved ones of a person who has schizophrenia. The panel discussion following the movie provided useful evidence based information about the science, treatment and lifelong management of mental illness.  
I was also pleased to have the opportunity to learn more about varying cultural perspectives in order to establish a greater awareness for my future practice.  
Thank you for your devotion and continuing endeavors to bring about a greater awareness and understanding of the many issues associated with mental illness. Hopefully there will be a time when stigma is no longer associated with mental illness.  

Heather Nesbitt-Sanders

Nursing Student,

Oregon Health and Sciences University 

I really enjoyed it! A very well done film- a tricky thing to do, to represent the inner experience of mental illness. Very interesting to think about the cultural dimensions of the experience of mental illness, and how families react to it. I was struck by the role of women in Indian society- that the cousin would have that expectation to care for her elder cousin. 

Daniel Coleman, MSW, Ph.D. 
Assistant Professor 
Portland State University 
Graduate School of Social Work

If you or your organization is interested in scheduling a screening of DEVRAI, please contact us at gayathri@myasha.org

If you or your organization is interested in purchasing a copy of DEVRAI, please contact us at gayathri@myasha.org

Please check back for future events.