Trigger Warning: Suicide
A documentary produced by Bode Miller and Brett Rapkin, The Paradise Paradox is a very emotional and serious piece. The film explores the overwhelming number of cases of suicide due to the mental health crisis affecting the snowy mountain towns of the United States, in particular Eagle Valley, Colorado, Mammoth Mountain, California, and Winter Pack, Colorado.
The Paradise Paradox follows several cases from snowy mountain towns about individuals disproportionately affected by mental health issues derived from isolation, lack of health services, and negative stigmas, as well as other contributing factors, which leave the individuals feeling like the only way out is to take their own life. Many of the individuals interviewed talk about loved ones or other individuals that they knew who were affected by these certain conditions, which led to them taking their lives.
The film also goes into detail about developing solutions in response to the mental health crisis by creating programs or other services to help first responders and those seeking help to not feel ashamed and instead welcomed so that they can heal and find alternative solutions. In Eagle County, Colorado, the Vail Health Foundation, for example, created Olivia’s Fund, named after a girl receiving treatment at one of the centers after a suicide attempt who subsequently died by her injuries. Olivia’s Fund offers scholarships for six free behavioral health sessions for anyone seeking mental health care that do not have the financial means to cover it.
This film is not only incredibly emotional and gripping but also very insightful. It truly dives into the kinds of stigma, lack of proper health resources or financial resources, feelings of isolation and loneliness, and depression that people deal with, as well as other contributing factors which ultimately can have serious consequences on a person’s mental, emotional, and physical health.
I couldn’t help but find the film a little hard to watch due to the content and the message being portrayed. As a person who has dealt with depression before, I know what it can feel like to have those kinds of emotions. While I was aware that the problem of suicide is widespread, this film was a true eye opening experience. Learning about how mental health specifically affects isolated mountain communities, given the lack of health resources, is such an important topic.
For partnership opportunities or to learn how to bring the film to your community, please email Devi@podiumsociety.org
