“Depression is one of the most debilitating illnesses on earth, and yet people are ashamed to talk about it. This is a medical illness that can devastate lives, ruin relationships and keep people from achieving their dreams. My greatest hope is that people watching Depression: Out of the Shadows will be able to better recognize the signs and symptoms of this elusive illness and seek help. This is a highly treatable disorder.”

Community Health Summit: Depression
In December 2007, WKAR was one of 11 PBS stations nationwide to receive a $5,000 grant to sponsor a community health summit on depression. The community summit will take place in mid-May on Michigan State University’s campus and will be attended by educators, counselors, human resource professionals and other facilitators of health programs. 

The goals of the community summit are to: help people better understand the complexities of the mental illness; educate participants on early diagnosis; reduce stigma associated with depression, and link professionals with current community programs and potential new alliances.

Our Partners
Community partners assisting WKAR with the planning and implementation of the community summit are the Lansing area YMCA, (capital area main branch as well as outlying communities); Lansing Area National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and the Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton/Eaton/Ingham Counties (CMH). NAMI and YMCA are national partners of the project.

Depression: Out of the Shadows
Wednesday, May 21, 9-11 p.m. on WKAR-23 more air times
The documentary that is a key part to this community outreach effort is the new special, Depression: Out of the Shadows. It tells the dramatic stories of people of different ages, from diverse backgrounds, who live with various forms of clinical depression, and explores its causes and treatments. The 90-minute documentary is followed by a half-hour panel discussion hosted by Jane Pauley. 

Sundays at 2:30pm on WKAR-23 click the title below for all air times
On Sunday afternoons at 2:30 p.m., WKAR-23 features a variety of related mental health programming. Programs include
May 4 - The Pain of Depression: A Journey Through the Darkness
May 11 - No Ordinary Joe: Erasing the Stigma of Mental Illness
May 18 - Men Get Depression
May 25 - The Prize
May 25 - Caring for Depression with Jane Pauley (at 3:30 p.m.). 
Each program repeats the following Wednesday at 11 p.m.

Fridays at 8pm on WKAR World
Specials will also be broadcast Fridays at 8 p.m., on WKAR World throughout the month of May. WKAR World is broadcast on digital channel 23.4 and Comcast channel 904 in Greater Lansing, East Lansing and Meridian Township. Check the online listings for details.

Free Viewers Kit
WKAR also offers a viewers’ kit filled with information related to depression and treatment. For a FREE copy contact, cynthia@wkar.org or call (517) 432-3120, ext. 430.

“We are very pleased initiate this very important public awareness campaign,” says WKAR outreach coordinator Cynthia Schneider. “Through this new project and past campaigns dealing with handicapper needs, domestic violence, aging, and the environment, WKAR has been able to connect communities while bridging viewers with much needed local and national services.”