Screening and discussion on PTSD documentary April 12 at Luther College
An Iraq War veteran, a survivor of domestic abuse and an evacuee from Hurricane Katrina share their stories of survival and shine a light on what it's like living with and recovering from post-traumatic stress disorder in the documentary "Buried Above Ground."
Sponsored by Luther College Active Minds and Luther's Counseling Service and social work department, and Decorah's Helping Services for Youth & Families, the screening and discussion of the film is 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 12, in the Franklin W. Olin Building, Room 102, on the Luther campus. Both the screening and discussion are open to the public with no charge for admission. Popcorn and snacks will be provided by the Luther Student Senate, Active Minds and Luther Student Nurses Association.
"Buried Above Ground," follows the lives of three PTSD survivors over a six-year period. Luis is a combat veteran and author who returns from the Iraq War with symptoms of PTSD. Through his story, the viewer sees how the symptoms like severe depression, flashbacks, dissociation and emotional numbness, can turn daily life into a personal struggle. Through his journey, Luis forms a bond with service dog, Tuesday, and eventually becomes a mental health advocate. Erundina is a survivor of child abuse and domestic violence who also struggles with addiction and relapses. Through her ups and downs, she eventually puts herself through college and works on repairing her relationship with her estranged son. Ashley is a New Orleans resident who was displaced when Hurricane Katrina destroyed her home in 2005. Her healing process involves returning to her beloved town to rebuild her home and heal with the rest of the displaced residents.
Through the six years of filming, the three subjects provide intimate access to their lives while showing their own road to recovery. It also sheds light on the global health condition and how it's a condition that affects more than war veterans.
A national liberal arts college with an enrollment of 2,050, Luther offers an academic curriculum that leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree in more than 60 majors and pre-professional programs. For more information about Luther visit the college's website: http://www.luther.edu.
