This is an Oscar-nominated 1983 documentary that explores issues of mentally ill children and the institutions in which they live. Not only does the film expose abuse in mental health facilities, it also educates people that mental illness can affect anyone.
One hundred and sixty children with mental illness and emotional disturbances were housed at Eastern State School and Hospital (now closed) in Trevos, Pennsylvania.
They’re psychotic, schizophrenic; they have organic brain damage and autism. Some are hyperactive, some are completely withdrawn, and some are suicidal. Many children in Eastern are chronically mentally ill and never see what we see, hear what we hear, or think the way we do. Eastern State is the largest state pediatric psychiatric hospital in the United States. Every child was given food, mediation and a place to sleep.
Very little individual or other form of psychotherapy is available to those who could benefit. The main therapy in the East is medicine. Almost every child is taking some form of psychotropic medication. Drugs that change brain chemistry to control psychotic behavior.
Another popular place for runaway teens is the Elane Private Therapy Center (now closed). If you break any rules or your attitude is wrong, you will be yelled at, which is the main method of “treatment”. Teenagers who go there are not mentally ill, mental institutions don’t work for them. They are alcoholics, drug addicts and drug dealers. They are teenagers who hurt others and themselves.
Elan’s children are nearly all white, upper-middle-class, and affluent. Her parents pay more than $20,000 a year to send her there for treatment. But these are children who regularly act violently against their parents. Day after day, Elam’s life is filled with constant confrontation and relentless stress. Feelings and negativity are broken down, dissected and torn apart. The idea is to change the behavior of children.
