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Pantagraph documentary to be shown in Clinton

Pantagraph (Bloomington, IL) - 5/24/2015

May 24--CLINTON -- A documentary produced by two Pantagraph staff members will be shown Tuesday in Clinton as part of a local campaign to raise awareness of mental health needs and services.

"Shortchanged: Unjailing the Mentally Ill" will be screened at 6:30 p.m. at First Christian Church, 100 N. Jackson St. Admission is free.

The event is part of Mental Health Awareness Month sponsored by the DeWitt County Mental Health Board and the Central Illinois Area Health Education Center at Illinois State University.

The 60-minute documentary will be followed by a panel discussion with mental health professionals, DeWitt County Sheriff Jered Shofner and community members.

Pantagraph reporter Edith Brady-Lunny and Photo Editor David Proeber produced the film based on their reporting, over more than a year, on efforts in McLean County to improve mental health services.

A community dialogue on the issue was sparked by recognition in 2013 that the county jail serves as a de facto mental health facility.

"Shortchanged: Unjailing the Mentally Ill" was first shown in October to a packed house at the Normal Theater. The film illustrates the challenges of people living with a mental illness and how their situations are complicated when services are delayed or poor decisions land them in jail.

Follow Edith Brady-Lunny on Twitter: @pg_blunny

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(c)2015 The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Ill.)

Visit The Pantagraph (Bloomington, Ill.) at www.pantagraph.com

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