Depressed Black Gay Men (DBGM), a non-profit organization committed to helping raise awareness of depression, will premier its latest documentary, “You Are Not Alone,” this Saturday at the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center in Washington Heights, New York.
Through the courageous sharing of personal stories, “You Are Not Alone” explores many of the underlying social factors which contribute to high rates of depression among Black gay men. “You Are Not Alone” also opens up discussions on the critical issues affecting many Black men and Black gay men who go through life hiding their depression, which can contribute to unsafe sexual activity because they are unconcerned about the consequences, elevated drug use, and even death by suicide.
The documentary is a combination of powerful, heart wrenching and poignant interviews and is balanced with professional opinions provided by mental health professionals, academics and religious leaders (Christian and Islam).
“A Black gay man dealing with depression should know that his mental illness is treatable and he need not suffer in silence; he is not alone,” says Antonie B. Craigwell, who created and co-produced the documentary. “If, by what I’m doing I could help stop one Black gay man from killing himself, then my work is done; his healing begins,” adds Craigwell.
Craigwell has been conducting discussion forums nationally on raising awareness of how Black gay men are affected by depression and focusing on its effect on the mental stability of the wider Black community. Drawing on research, the forums show the link between being depressed and contracting HIV, STDs, AIDS, suicide, and many other mental, emotional, physical traumas.
“You Are Not Alone” is the product of a collaboration between triple NAACP Image Award winner Stanley Bennett Clay and Guyanese-born double NYABJ Award winner, journalist and national gay mental health activist Antoine B.Craigwell, who together embarked to push the envelope, shine a light in a dark, unspoken area in the Black community, to bring healing.
It is premiering as part of a benefit gala on November 17 at the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center (formerly the Audubon Ballroom where Malcolm X was assassinated) 3940 Broadway (at 165th St.) in Washington Heights, New York.
“You Are Not Alone” premieres at the fundraising gala “I, Too, Am Not Alone @ the Table” which begins at 7pm, featuring live music, performances by artists who contributed music for the documentary, and of Blackgay artists showing their work. Following the premiere, there will be a moderated Q&A with panelists: “America Psychologist” Jeffery Gardere, Ph.D. the documentary’s co-executive producer; Stanley BennettClay, the director; Terrie Williams, author of “Black Pain”; and principle actors.
For more information and tickets to attend the premiere of “You Are Not Alone” and gala visit www.dbgm.org and to see a trailer of the film www.yana-thefilm.com or contact Antoine Craigwell at 917-504-3723 or antoineb@dbgm.org