Mysteries of Mental Illness explores the story of mental illness in science and society. The four-part series traces the evolution of this complex topic from its earliest days to present times. It explores dramatic attempts across generations to unravel the mysteries of mental illness and gives voice to contemporary Americans across a spectrum of experiences.
Decolonizing Mental Health • On-Demand
The Decolonizing Mental Health series dismantles the racism that underscores the mental healthcare industry. By focusing its gaze on the transformative work of therapists and individuals of color, it calls for redressal of the ways in which we define psychiatric illness and health.
Shawna Murray-Browne | Decolonizing Mental Health: Before Shawna Murray-Browne’s brother was murdered, she dreamt about it. It was a residue from the trauma of seeing so many Black men being killed around her. This turning point in her career as an integrated psychotherapist made her focus on empowering communities of color to access ways of nurture, care, and healing, that the racist-capitalist society keeps away from them.
Lloyd Hale | Part 1 | Decolonizing Mental Health: Lloyd Hale was 13 when his first symptoms of schizophrenia appeared. He was smoking too much weed, he was told. Growing up in the projects, the intersecting matrices of race, poverty and incarceration prevented appropriate treatment while the larger society willfully ignored his welfare. Here’s his story of recovery, resilience and refusal to “sleep it off.”
Lloyd Hale | Part 2 | Decolonizing Mental Health: Lloyd Hale was 16 when undiagnosed schizophrenia led him to commit a crime that put him in prison. This is where he heard an overworked correction officer say the words that changed his life: “You don’t have to do this alone.” Now, a peer support specialist living in recovery, Lloyd spends his time making sure no one around him feels alone in their struggle against the voices in their heads.
Idris Mitchell | Decolonizing Mental Health:Idris Mitchell did everything there was to do on the Yale campus, until a diagnosis of bipolar disorder made him miss his finals, lose the perfect 4.0 and feel invisible. What does success mean to a Black queer man who had to be kept away from his pens? How does he turn around and adapt to a constant process of grieving for his previous self, while always being in pursuit of beauty and joy?
Growing Up Latina
Being a young Latina means living within a vibrant and varied global culture. It also means navigating identity and intersectionality. Rosanna discovers that friendship can cross all borders; Ana describes her last night at home before leaving Cuba forever; and Michele turns lemons into lemonade when she gets busted moonlighting. Three storytellers, three interpretations of GROWING UP LATINA from Stories from the Stage.
First Hand: Segregation • On-Demand
In Chicago, segregation has a profound impact on the city’s residents, touching every aspect of daily life. From disparities in housing, education and healthcare to economic inequality, FIRSTHAND: SEGREGATION illustrates the high cost of segregation, not just in dollars, but in lives lost and unrealized potential.
In the episode, the urgent need to address these deep-seated divisions in one of America’s most segregated cities is uncovered. And through personal stories, we also witness the power of individuals to effect positive change as residents strive for a more integrated and equitable community.
Produced by WTTW, FIRSTHAND goes beyond the headlines to approach this topic differently than most media outlets that report on Chicago crime. This multi-platform initiative focuses on the perspectives – the firsthand perspectives – of people and communities with lived experience.
Available through 12/31/24.
Segregation Scholarships • On-Demand
The untold story of Black Americans in pursuit of higher education in the North when Southern graduate schools were white-only.
The academics – teachers, administrators, lawyers, doctors, and other professionals, who left the South during the Great Migration, returned to the Jim Crow South to apply their knowledge towards strengthening southern Black communities and to help end segregation in the United States. SEGREGATION SCHOLARSHIPS highlights these largely unsung trailblazers and civil rights foot soldiers while illustrating the key role of education in transforming social conditions in the U.S., past and present.
Available through 9/15/29.
American Problems-Trans Solutions • On-Demand
In the United States, Black trans people are among the most marginalized of marginalized Americans. But those closest to the nation’s most pressing problems are often able to craft innovative solutions.
Award-winning journalist Imara Jones travels across the country to meet and share the stories of leaders on the frontlines of change: housing advocate Kayla Gore; Breonna McCree, a champion for economic empowerment; and Oluchi Omeoga, who fights for the rights of migrants. Despite the record-breaking number of anti-trans bills passed in 2023, these three Black trans people are addressing critical issues surrounding economic empowerment and human dignity with heart and vision.
Available through 6/23/29.
Silence in Sikeston • On-Demand
The story of how the 1942 lynching of Cleo Wright – and the subsequent failure of the first federal attempt to prosecute a lynching – continues to haunt the small city of Sikeston, Missouri. Then, in 2020, the community is faced with the police killing of a young Black father. The film SILENCE IN SIKESTON explores the necessary questions about history, trauma, silence and resilience over 78 years. Available through 9/15/31.
Scouting for Toys • WXXI-TV
Behind the scenes at internationally renowned Vectis Toys Auctioneers in Teesside, where buyers and sellers from all over the world come to trade every toy imaginable.
Scouting for Toys airs Sundays, October 6-20 at 1 p.m. on WXXI-TV.
Iconic American doll brand Barbie goes head-to-head with UK rival, Sindy. Teddy bear expert Jo receives an elderly bear and Mick looks at toy trains with grandson Charlie.
On Sunday, October 6 episodes include:
Ep. 1 Declan’s Star Wars – The Teesside toy auctioneers prepare for a major sale of TV and film memorabilia, and pride of place is given to a vast Star Wars collection.
Ep. 2 Graham Hamilton Matchbox Sale – Graham Hamilton has collected every Matchbox model car released between 1961 to 1982: amassing more than 2000 vehicles, many of them incredibly rare.
Ep. 3 Toy Theatres – The auctioneers try to value a remarkable set of toy theatres – some more than 150 years old with expert advice from Pollock’s Toy Museum.
Ep. 4 Lego – As Lego enthusiast David prepares to release some of his prized sets at auction, Andy and Dave are hoping to pick up some sought after construction boxes for their joint collection.
On Sunday, October 13 episodes include:
Ep. 5 Charlie Bears – Teddy bear expert Jo receives a large collection of Charlie Bear teddies from a single seller, including some very rare bears.
Ep. 6 Meccano – A huge consignment of Meccano arrives from a single seller. It represents a lifetime’s passion and has been well played with but painstakingly restored.
Ep. 7 Antique Dolls – A vast haul of antique dolls arrives in the saleroom, passed on by the husband of a deceased artist. Other highlights include Star Wars toys and a passionate Transit van man.
Ep. 8 Mr. Timpo – Miniature plastic figurine collector Michael Maughan is selling some of his impressive Timpo collection.
On Sunday, October 20 episodes include:
Ep. 9 Karl Lagerfeld – A much sought after, Karl Lagerfeld teddy bear is sent to auction, creating a buzz of excitement among staff and collectors alike.
Ep. 10 Barbie – Iconic American doll brand Barbie goes head-to-head with UK rival, Sindy. Teddy bear expert Jo receives an elderly bear and Mick looks at toy trains with grandson Charlie.