Within the framework of World Mental Health Day, the Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano (ICDA) held on Saturday, October 10, the screening of the film “My 500 Crazies” and the discussion “From My 500 Crazies to Today’s Mental Health,” at the Patrick N. Hughson Auditorium. The activity was held to benefit the Padre Billini Mental Health Board.

 

The meeting provided a space for reflection on the evolution of psychiatric care, the stigma associated with mental disorders, and the importance of promoting more humane care focused on the dignity and rights of individuals.

 

Based on the historical reality presented in the film, the discussion connected different perspectives on mental health with the current challenges in the Dominican Republic. Psychosocial rehabilitation, recovery, and inclusion were among the topics addressed during the dialogue.

 

The panel included Dr. Yino Martínez, psychiatrist and psychotherapist, director of the Padre Billini Psychosocial Rehabilitation Center; and Dr. José Ángel Saviñón, psychiatrist and psychotherapist, professor, researcher, and author. Both contributed the medical perspective to the exchange on mental health care.

 

Also participating were Roselin de los Santos de Saviñón, M.A., clinical psychologist and Fulbright program alumna; and Rosario Bonarelli, president of the Mental Health Board, who contributed to the dialogue from psychological and social fields.

 

The cinematic perspective was represented by Ico Abreu, Dominican actor who plays “El Tuerto” in “My 500 Crazies” and Fulbright program alumnus. His participation linked the film experience with the themes that motivated the event.

 

The day brought together cinema and dialogue as means to bring the public closer to a reality that requires understanding, respect, and collective commitment. It also offered an opportunity to reflect on advances in mental health care and the challenges that remain to promote recovery and inclusion of people with mental disorders.

 

The Instituto Cultural Domínico Americano thanks the panelists and everyone who supported this solidarity initiative, whose purpose was to contribute to greater awareness of mental health and support the work of the Padre Billini Mental Health Board.