We share mental health short films depicting stories of recovery, empowerment, and change, by and for those with mental health challenges.
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OC87 Recovery Diaries is an interactive website that features stories of mental health, empowerment, and change, created by and for those whose journeys of recovery speak to audiences from all walks of life. As we share mental health short films, we hope to touch as many lives as possible and bring light to the lived experiences of recovery from mental illness: what matters, what helps, what’s hard, what might be next?
Revisited: A Police Officer’s Tango with PTSD and Complex Trauma
Argentine tango helped police officer Ed Pila recover from secondary trauma and PTSD.
Kathyna Hatla: Painting Clouds Upside Down
Art has helped artist Kathyna Hatla recover from depression that she experienced after an illness that caused her to be paralyzed.
Trauma Under the Bridge | Trauma Recovery Short Film Revisited
Short film that shows the Sharon Wise’s journey from trauma, abuse and addiction to hope, healing and connection.
We publish a new mental health recovery story each week.
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OC87 Recovery Diaries exists to tell stories about how people with mental health challenges have created paths to meaningful lives. We feature mental health short films that inspire and empower, stories that generate discussion and awareness. OC87 Recovery Diaries presents a range of experiences — personal perspectives, recovery innovations, examples of empowerment, strengths and gaps in the mental health system, and efforts to dismantle stigma — all told by people moving through their own recovery journeys.
Our hour-long documentary film, OC87 Recovery Diaries, has been featured on PBS.
Check for upcoming screenings events or sponsor a screening »
Gabe Nathan’s Note(s) to Self
Short film that explores the destructive and/or constructive thoughts that we all have about ourselves and how they frame our personal narrative.
Kambel Smith’s Artwork, Family, and Being an Autisarian (Autism)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v93E74_1UNg by From discarded cardboard boxes come sculptures that awe and inspire. . . So begins our introduction to The Awesome and Absolutely True Adventures of the Autisarians of...
Postpartum Depression Healing: Samantha’s Story
A young mother shares her personal journey with postpartum depression.
Perinatal Depression and Postpartum Anxiety: Regina’s Story
A young mother uses her personal journey with perinatal depression and postpartum anxiety.
Jabina’s Story: Postpartum OCD & Major Depressive Disorder
A young mother uses her challenging journey with major depressive disorder and postpartum OCD to help others.
Postpartum Depression Recovery | Maternal Mental Health: Liz’s Story
A new mother details her how past traumas impacted her postpartum period, and how therapy was key to her recovery from postpartum depression.
Maternal Mental Health: Keli’s Story
A new mother details her recovery journey from postpartum depression, and how medication and therapy were critical to her success.
Holding Space: Stories of Maternal Mental Health
Series presents five women who tell of heartbreaking and challenging journeys with postpartum depression and perinatal anxiety and mood disorders.
Meet Monica (Again) – Mental Health & Chosen Family
Monica, a young transwoman, talks about her experience with mental health challenges, homelessness, and finding her chosen family at The Attic Youth Center.
NAMI Man: A Super Hero with a Super Human Story of Mental Illness Recovery
Mini doc about Nick Emeigh, aka NAMI Man, a colorful and awe-inspiring superhero who roams the world fighting stigma and promoting mental health awareness.
NAMI Man Film Sneak Peek!
Nick Emeigh is NAMI Man, a colorful and awe-inspiring superhero who roams the world, fighting stigma and promoting mental health awareness.
The Hip Hop Therapist
Ronald Crawford calls himself a hip hop therapist, using hip hop lyrics as a way to connect in therapy sessions with young people.
The Healing Verse – Cydney, Yolanda, Ursula, Thomas
Third in a series of films that presents poetry for mental health wellbeing.
The Healing Verse — Trapeta, Enoch, and Beth
Second in a series of films that presents poetry for mental health wellbeing.
The Healing Verse: Poetry for Mental Wellbeing
First in series of films that present poetry for mental health wellbeing.
Hell or High Seas: Suicide Attempt Survivor on the Big Screen
Tackling PTSD on the High Seas presents U.S Navy Taylor Greiger’s transformation from suicide attempt survivor into suicide prevention awareness activist.
Building a Life After Violence: Leon Harris’ Story
Leon Harris was shot and paralyzed when he was 17 years old. Over the past 14 years he has built a life that includes being husband and father.
Now Unquiet: The Journey of Pianist Jonathan Biss
Pianist Jonathan Biss recounts his journey and examines the interplay between his lifelong passion for music and his own personal struggles with anxiety.
“Dear Me” A Music Video that Started in Group Therapy
David Thomas is a musician who lives with bipolar disorder. His first single, “Dear Me,” stems from an exercise assigned at a group therapy session.
Revisiting Beloved Photographer Danielle Hark of Broken Light Collective Through Her Lens
When Danielle Hark was experiencing postpartum depression, she turned to photography to aid in her mental health recovery.
“Dear Me” A Sneak Peek at a Music Video that Started in Group Therapy
David Thomas is a musician who lives with bipolar disorder. His first single, “Dear Me,” stems from an exercise assigned at a group therapy session.
An Extra Mile: Preserving the Literary Legacy of a Brother Who Died by Suicide
After his death by suicide, Raghav Thakran’s family discovered hundreds of poems that he wrote and published them in a book to keep his memory alive.
A New Book Returns Us to Our Town
A new book about many different productions of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town features a production by mental health workers.
Gunshot Survivor Mental Health: Jalil Frazier’s Story
Jalil Frazier was shot trying to prevent a robbery. He is a member of a support group for gunshot violence survivors who speaks about his journey.
Gunshot Survivor Depression & Trauma Recovery: B’s Story (Steven Smith)
Steven Smith is an anti-gun violence advocate and member of a support group for gunshot violence survivors who speaks about his journey.
Gun Violence Survivor’s Mental Health Recovery: Jaleel King’s Story
Jaleel King is a photographer and member of a support group for gunshot violence survivors who speaks about his journey.
Mental Health and Gunshot Violence: Charles Horton’s Story
Charles Horton is a disability rights activist and member of a support group for gunshot violence survivors who speaks about his journey.
Is This the Face of a Hero? Life as an ER Doctor in the Time of COVID
Dr. Erica Harris wrestles with the term “hero” as an emergency room physician during the COVID-19 pandemic.
From the Vault: A Hero’s Journey Gets an Encore
Ed Kozempel is a hero who understands the power of music and doesn’t let paranoid schizophrenia or bipolar get between him and his flute.
It Gets Better: A Yarn Bomber’s Tale of Hope
Yarn Bomber Nicole Nikolich creates vibrant works of art for the street that are filled with humor and hope and help her battle anxiety and depression.
The Awesome and Absolutely True Adventures of the Autisarians of Philadelphia
The Smith Family of Philadelphia rejects the limitations of the term autism, and instead create “The Autisarians,” people with superhuman abilities.
Art is a Superpower | Quarantine + Mental Health
Artist and Educator Greyson “Haji P.” Davis discusses how art is his superpower, and has been his salvation during quarantine.
The Reluctant Filmmaker: Surviving Suicide of a Son
Yolonda Johnson-Young has created a film titled Finding Elijah to help her answer the many questions she had after losing her son to suicide.
Writing Her Way Out of a Social Anxiety Tunnel in the UK
Claire Eastham is a blogger who lives in London. She writes about her journey with social anxiety disorder.
The Vicious Cycle of Pure O | Purely Obsessional OCD & Mental Health in Turkey
Pinar Tarhan is a writer from Turkey who lives with Purely Obsessional OCD, also known as Pure O, and shares about her mental health recovery.
Singing a Lullaby to Myself | Anxiety & Mental Health in Rwanda
by “My whole life became worry,” Florence Mukagenzi, a medical student from Rwanda says about her world. “It all felt so unsafe.” And so begins Florence’s recovery journey from paralyzing anxiety, which she exquisitely...
Australian Mental Health | A Clear Voice on Bipolar Disorder from Down Under
Liza Brock is an Australian mental health writer who writes about her journey with bipolar disorder.
A Voice on Anxiety and Depression in India
Sanjukta Chauhan, a self-described “annoyingly optimistic” student from India, uses writing to tackle her depression.
Paramedic Mental Health: Empathy in the Eye of the Storm
Ian Stoddart, a paramedic for 32 years, advocates practicing empathy for positive mental health.
First Responder Mental Health: A Paramedic’s Tale
Ashley Neubauer is a paramedic who loves helping people. The stresses of her job, however, affect her mental health, which she must monitor carefully.
First Responder Mental Health: When the Helpers Need Help, Who You Gonna Call?
Michelle Monzo is a hero’s hero. Her work is her passion, and her passion is her work. She is trains police and other criminal justice and public safety personnel in mental health crisis intervention techniques. in addition to her crisis intervention education efforts, she creates safe spaces for first responders to be vulnerable when they are feeling they need mental health support.
Compound Trauma: The 911 on 911 Dispatcher Craig Tinneny
Craig Tinneny is a 911 dispatcher whose lifetime work of fielding calls from people in crisis made him feel hollow, helpless, and hopeless. He sought help from a group of peers and has since become a crusader for better mental health for first responders.
Can a Man (and a Bug) Drive Out Suicide?
OC87 Recovery Diaries’ Editor in Chief Gabriel Nathan travels around the east coast in his beloved Herbie the Love Bug replica to raise suicide awareness and meet people whose lives have been changed by suicide.
Sailing for Life and Surviving PTSD
Hell or High Seas follows veteran Navy rescue swimmer Taylor Greiger and friend Stephen O’Shea on the sailing adventure of a lifetime to prove that Taylor is stronger than his PTSD diagnosis.
A Police Officer’s Tango with PTSD and Complex Trauma – Beneath the Vest with Ed Pila
“Many police departments are good at continually preparing their officers for the daily physical and report battles they face. But, most of these same departments are inadequate in knowledge, and even unaware, of what is going on beneath the vest – in the heart, mind, and soul of the police officer.” – Ed Pila
Physician Mental Health & Suicide
by https://youtu.be/7qBobGOF0fs Doctors are the healers and the helpers. But what happens when it’s the doctors who need the healing and the help? An estimated 300 to 400 doctors die by suicide each year, a rate of 28 to 40...
2 Gabes in A Car Sharing Mental Health Stories
In addition to sharing a first name, they also share a passion for busting stigma about mental illness. Mental health advocacy brought them together, but something deeper created a connection.
Tackling PTSD: Hell or High Seas
Taylor Grieger was diagnosed with complex PTSD several months after his release from the Navy with little-to-no guidance on how to cope with his condition.
How to be an Active Listener
A rising number of college students are seeking treatment at campus counseling centers for serious mental health challenges. Our video features the powerful listeners from Cogwell@Penn. Watch (and learn) how they skillfully role-play as active listeners when presented with a variety of stories from friends in need.
Lilah James: Complex PTSD Recovery on the Runway
A complex PTSD diagnosis became inspiration for a fashion designer’s runway line. In Glenn Holsten’s short film, Lilah James shares recovery and creativity.
Unforgotten – Marlboro State Psychiatric Hospital
A few months ago, I saw a photo on Facebook of a cemetery in Marlboro, New Jersey. The cemetery was on the grounds where the Marlboro State Psychiatric Hospital once stood, and was the place where people who were once residents of the hospital were laid to rest.
Cumulative PTSD for a Police Officer After 9/11
This video features Officer Ron Griffith, formerly of the NYPD. After 9/11, Ron’s personality shifted. He became a controlling, angry person. He says he wasn’t aware of this change until his family left him, and all he was left with cumulative PTSD.
The Homeless Gospel Choir, Punk Rock, and My Mental Health Journey
I started writing songs about my feelings and sharing them with audiences throughout the country as a touring musician, under the name The Homeless Gospel Choir.
Bipolar Disorder Videos on YouTube
by I host a monologue in my head all day long, as I assume most people do; I run through my to-do lists, organize my tasks at hand, and guide myself through my own emotional reactions. These are the types of...
Beneath the Vest: Police Officer Alcoholism, Mental Health & Recovery
Joe has wrestled with alcoholism and the stresses of life as a police officer, a sometimes combustible combination.
Police Officer PTSD & Mental Health
In this short film, Rob Davis shares his journey as a police officer who lives with trauma and PTSD.
Herbie The Love Bug: Depression & Recovery
“I was hoping that Herbie The Love Bug would bring us some joy.” — Gabriel Nathan, Editor in Chief of OC87 Recovery Diaries
One Step Away: A Film about PTSD, Homelessness, and Redemption
Tammy is one of about 60 people who sell One Step Away, Philadelphia’s first newspaper produced by those without homes for those with homes.
OCD Videos on YouTube: What it’s Like to Live with this Diagnosis
As we seek to #buststigma around mental illness, this installment of our mental health resources column highlights OCD videos on YouTube that we love.
A Screenwriter’s Story – Living With Autism
Reed would love to see a dramatic feature that explores a wide range of experiences of characters who live with autism – not just supporting characters.
Wrestling with Obsessive Thoughts About Everyday Encounters
how an everyday encounter with a stranger on the street can morph into a paralyzing prison-like mental trap of repetitive, obsessive thoughts.
5 Depression TED Talks That Entertain, Educate, and Empower
These five depression TED Talks share our agenda to inspire, build bridges, and bring light to the shadow that enshrouds mental health challenges.
Giving Mental Health Stories “The Red Carpet Treatment”
This short video explores the richness of our website and the many ways we share mental health stories of hope and recovery.
Don’t. TOUCH. ANYTHING! A Story of Anxiety, Obsession, and the Museum Police
I put a lot of thought into how to make the web-series Katie and Shaun responsibly. The portrayal of anxiety and depression is true to my experience.
Music Video: When Anxiety & Panic Attacks are Your Kinfolk
In 2006 I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks and depersonalization. At the time, I was actively pursuing a career in music.
4 Videos About How to Live a Healthy Life with Mental Illness
Four one-minute videos about mental health turning points, those moments when life shifted towards a healthy future living with a mental illness.
Episode 3 – An Interview with Documentary Filmmaker Glenn Holsten
Glenn Holsten discusses the making of his mental health documentary film, Hollywood Beauty Salon.
An Hour of Mental Health Short Films on PBS station WHYY
A collection of beautifully told short stories that inspire, empower, and generate discussion and awareness in an effort to #buststigma.
A Letter to Niyyah: Trauma Under the Bridge
Now, hopefully, hopefully, hopefully, hopefully, hopefully, hopefully, hopefully, hopefully, hopefully, hopefully, the cycle is broken.
10 Moving & Powerful Depression Videos
This post is a round up of depression videos that have us feeling educated, moved, and empowered to continue sharing mental health recovery stories.
Mental Health at the Mic: Childhood, Loneliness, and Suicide
This is the third in a series of videos of men who have participated in the Philadelphia’s Engaging Males of Color BEyond Expectations storytelling project.
Mental Health at the Mic: A Veteran’s Story
A veteran of the United States Army, Russell lives with PTSD, something that affects his daily life. Watch these videos about veteran’s mental health.
Mental Health at the Mic: Christian A’Xavier Lovehall
This video post features the stories of Christian A’Xavier Lovehall, a transgender man who talks about his mental health journey.
An Orphan’s Memorial to Her Dying Mother
Sheri Heller is a powerful survivor who now helps others who have experienced trauma. This short film shares her journey with a mom who had schizophrenia.
It’s Time To Talk, Then Reflect, Then Grow
I don’t know if my depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder will ever go away.
Mental Health Workers Brought Together by “Our Town” Reunion
It’s hard to know how a play can change your life, but, just two years later, I found out.
Mike Veny: “An Interview With My Depression”
“I’d really love to interview my depression,” Mike said. And we were off. Watch Mike Veny do the (near) impossible: interview his depression.
Mike Veny: Mental Health Recovery, Music & Advocacy
Mike Veny is an advocate who speaks boldly about his journey with mental health. Mike Veny is also a lifesaver. The first life he saved was his own.
Danielle Hark & The Broken Light Collective
Danielle Hark created Broken Light Collective, a website for photographers from all over the world who are living with or who are affected by mental illness.
Having Hope After Being Diagnosed With Bipolar Disorder
Shireda was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. That solved some of the confusion. Support at The Attic, an LGBTQ youth center, and Horizon House helped next.
Father Figures, Forgiveness & Mental Health Recovery
Voices of young black men are often misunderstood. This video with 15-year-old Jaywan explores forgiveness and mental health recovery with mentor Levi Lee.
Seasons of Depression & Kevin Breel
“Real depression isn’t being sad when something in your life goes wrong. Real depression is being sad when everything in your life is going right.” – Kevin Breel
Darryl’s Bipolar Disorder Recovery at COMHAR & Beyond
Darryl Armour was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at an early age. His story includes residential treatment programs, incarceration, and recovery at COMHAR.
A Certified Peer Specialist Living With PTSD
Brenda Lewis is now a Certified Peer Specialist who helps other people find resources along this journey so they won’t have such a difficult time.
“Crazy Cozmo” Veteran Marine With PTSD & Bipolar Disorder
“Crazy Cozmo” is a Marine Corps. veteran who lives with PTSD and bipolar disorder. He also wrestles with the abuse he experienced as a child.
Hyacinth’s Journey Home: Surviving Schizophrenia, Drug Abuse, and Homelessness
Hyacinth wrestled with the toxic combination of schizophrenia, drug abuse, and homelessness. 18 years ago she discovered Project HOME, changing her life.
Rachel’s Recovery On Film
Rachel has been on her own since high school. She has fought to overcome depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety.
Eric Cureton’s Journey to Independence
Eric’s story begins with sadness and isolation. Today, Eric has uncovered a strong sense of self, created supportive relationships, and learned coping skills.
Drawn to Forgiveness
Ron Thompson is a fascinating guy — an artist with a pen, a poet with words. His video, Drawn to Forgiveness, incorporates both of these strengths.
PTSD & Healing Hurt People
Healing Hurt People works with young people in Philadelphia who are seen in the emergency room for violent injuries (gunshot, stab, or assault wounds).
Tyler Hurst’s Recovery Reflections
Tyler and Brooke are active in YPR, an advocacy organization that aims to make it easier for youth to find and maintain their recovery from addiction.
Life Lessons from “Our Town”
The staff at Montgomery County Emergency Service (MCES), a private, not-for-profit, psychiatric hospital put on a production of the play Our Town.
First Person Recovery
OC87 Recovery Diaries & public television station WHYY have teamed up with first-time filmmakers to create videos that tell inspiring first person recovery journeys.
A Hero’s Life
Lost to paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, Ed was in limbo for 30 years before finding the right medication and community to heal and play music.
Torrey Pines
Interview with Clyde Petersen about Torrey Pines, a stop-motion animated adventure film about coming of age with an undiagnosed schizophrenic single mother.
Message To The World
A short video with a simple question: What is your message to the world? It’s a big question, but very few people appeared at a loss for words.
Darlene’s Recovery Story
Video from the Hollywood Beauty Salon documentary: Remembering neglect in foster care, alcoholism, and mental illness, Darlene talks to her inner child.
A Journey Within
Monica, a young transwoman, talks about her experience with mental health challenges, homelessness, and finding her chosen family at The Attic Youth Center.
Rachel “Hollywood” Carr
“I would not want to change my life, even all the negative and bad stuff, because it actually made me who I am.” —Rachel “Hollywood” Carr
Delaney Ruston
Interview with Delaney Ruston about her documentary Hidden Pictures, where she visits India, China, South Africa, France & the USA looking at mental health.
The Reel Mind
“The Reel Mind films have a message of hope and recovery. People come in feeling alone and isolated and leave feeling very differently” –Dr Larry Guttmacher
Sprout Film Festival
Anthony Di Salvo talks about Sprout Film Festival, vacations for people with developmental disabilities, and Sproutflix, a new movies on demand platform.
2014 Roundup
A roadmap of festivals for filmmakers and film lovers alike that encourage film submissions surrounding ideas of mental health and recovery,
We’re to be Heard: Arah’s Story
“If there’s anybody having a mental challenge, I hope they’d be brave enough to speak out. They are not the only one going through that.” – Arah Cooper
The Story of John Rocco
“I’m recovering from addiction, major depression, ADHD, and HIV. If I can come out of 28 years of addiction and prison, you can do it too.” – John Rocco
Learning How To Talk
“I have this overwhelming need to help people understand where mental illness is coming from in a way that a lot of people aren’t able to do.” – Evan Kaplan
Hearing Voices
Tim Connors shares his recovery with hearing voices. Through the support of family and groups, Tim leads a happier and healthier life.
Of Two Minds
In OF TWO MINDS, Liz recounts her lost years of extreme mania and depressions as well as the effects of electroshock treatments.
I Am A Voice Here
OC87 Recovery Diaries and WHYY teamed up with mental health providers to create original short films that detail journeys of recovery and transformation.
The Metamorphosis of Sanetta Watkins
In this excerpt from the documentary Hollywood Beauty Salon, Sanetta “Butterfly” Watkins shares her metamorphosis recovery journey with schizophrenia.
Jennifer Agnew & Borderline Personality Disorder
“If someone ever asks me, I will be the first one to tell them that I have a mental illness and that I am in recovery from it.” —Jennifer Agnew
Michael Solomon
Michael Solomon is married, assumes responsibilities, and helps others in their own recovery journeys. He has a lot of empathy for people, too.
Stephanie Sikora & Equine Therapy For Mental Health
Stephanie has amazingly coped with her disorder through her love of equine therapy for mental health. Her trust in horses has allowed her to trust people.
Recovery Is A Verb
Performing under the name Geppetta, Adelaide Windsome describes her recovery with depression as a verb rather than a noun.
The OC87 Movie
Behind the scenes of Bud Clayman’s documentary OC87: The Obsessive Compulsive, Major Depression, Bipolar, Asperger’s Movie.