“There is something so damaging, so profoundly hurtful, when we silence those who are suffering, when we turn away from their pain.”

-Yehudit

The Hidden Face of Suicide

This film enters the world of survivors, those who have lost loved ones to suicide, and reveals their remarkable stories. Looking for the story behind the silence in her own family, Silverman sets out on a journey of understanding and transformation. Using masks, the survivors find a unique and creative way to express the unspeakable. Their journey brings to light the danger of secrets and the terrible cost of silence.

Available from:

Reelhouse

Kanopy

Download the Press Kit

Responses to the Film

© March, 2010 (58 minutes)

Produced, written, directed and original music by Yehudit Silverman

Cinematographer – Martin Duckworth,
Sound – Glenn Hodgins,
Editor- Andre Elias

English with French subtitles

Original Song: Hold On

by Yehudit Silverman

Right-Click Here and Click Save As to Download the Song

Contact Yehudit

An innovative and brilliant exploration of how the interaction between film, personal narrative and creativity can enable silence to be opened into a moving encounter with taboo subjects.... a propelling justification of the potency of the arts as research

Phil Jones, Professor, University College London, author, Drama as Therapy

... a stark, deeply moving, honestly heartfelt documentary...

Toula Foscolos, The Monitor (August 2010)

In trying to understand that silence, Silverman created a touching film that raises awareness...

Anthony Bonaparte, The Suburban

...goes behind the veil of silence... and concludes that healing demands an end to silence…

John Griffin, The Gazette (August 27 2010)

It is an important message... that the community itself needs to embrace another way of thinking about the shame, stigma, and pain of suicide on those left behind…

Dr. Jaswant Guzder, Director, Centre for Child Development and Mental Health, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal

Suicide is a serious problem for adolescents and society. This sensitive and in-depth film is a perfect educational tool to raise awareness and stimulate productive audience discussion.

Dr. Franziska Baltzer, Director, Adolescent Medicine, Montreal Children’s Hospital, Montreal, Quebec

The film, The Hidden Face of Suicide, by Yehudit Silverman, is one of the most powerful expressions of arts-based research and creative arts therapy I have ever seen. In a sensitive and creative way it tells the stories of those who have survived a loved one’s suicide and their unique pain and the burden of silence. The film is an outstanding example of how the arts have the power to transform, illuminate, and make connections otherwise not possible.

Patricia Leavy, author of the bestselling Method Meets Art: Arts-based Research Practice

Seeds of Hope

An Arts – Based Approach to Suicide and Resiliency

In Collaboration with The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

Yehudit directed an innovative project working with diverse communities affected by suicide. The project culminated in a featured exhibition at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts of masks made by community participants.

Suicide Resources

Family Survivors of Suicide

http://www.suicideaftermath.com

McGill School of Social Work

Contact: familysurvivorsofsuicide@gmail.com

Languages: English and offered in French by request

Meetings every 2nd and 4th Thursday at 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Suicide Action Montreal

http://www.suicideactionmontreal.org/

Telephone: (514) 723-3594

Crisis Line: (514) 723-4000

Languages: French only

Survivors of Suicide

http://www.survivorsofsuicide.com

AMI-Quebec Alliance for the Mentally Ill

http://www.amiquebec.org

Telephone: (514) 486-1448

Toll-free: 1-877-303-0264

Languages: English and French

Kids Help Phone

http://www.kidshelpphone.ca

Telephone; (800) 668-6868

Languages: English and French

Website offers resources, helpline, on-line forums, events such as the Bell Walk for Kids Help Phone and free materials for schools.

The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention

http://www.suicideprevention.ca

Telephone: (204) 784 4073

Services: Facilitation and development of information sharing on intervention and research; advocacy for policy development at the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Levels.

The Support Network

http://www.thesupportnetwork.com

Telephone: (780) 482-0198

Distress Line: (780) 482-4357

Languages: English

Services: The Support Network is the umbrella organization that overlooks the operations of the Crisis Support Centre, 211 Edmonton, and Volunteer Edmonton

Bereavement, education and training, crisis support

Mandate: Serving Edmonton and Northern Alberta

Centre for Suicide Prevention (CSP)

http://www.suicideinfo.ca

Affiliated with Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)

Telephone: (403) 245-3900

Services: Education; certification workshops (all ages); bereavement. North America’s largest online library of suicide resources.

Association Québécoise de Prévention du Suicide

http://www.aqps.info/

Telephone: (418) 614-5909

Crisis Line: 1 866 APPELLE (277-3553)

List of regional prevention centres

Languages: French

Centre for Research and Intervention on Suicide and Euthanasia – UQAM

www.crise.ca/index_eng.asp or www.crise.ca French

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)

http://www.afsp.org

Telephone: (212) 363-3500

Toll-free: 1-888-333-AFSP (2377)

Education, research and prevention, resource centre and survivors initiative department

Suicide Prevention Action Network

Affiliated with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

http://www.spanusa.org

Services: Support for attempters and survivors; prevention and Lifekeeper Memory Quilt Project; stories from survivors

American Association of Suicidology (AAS)

http://www.suicidology.org

Telephone: (202) 237-2280

Services: Research, awareness, education and training

Suicide: Finding Hope

http://www.suicidefindinghope.com

Services: Support and links to resources, including videos and comments by survivors for survivors

Friends for Survival: 1-800-646-7322

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Services available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

World Health Organization – Suicide Prevention (SUPRE)

http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/suicideprevent/en/in…

Services: Suicide workshops, conferences, production and dissemination of resources, awareness and advocacy

International Association of Suicide Prevention (IASP)

Official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) see above

http://www.iasp.info/

IASP Central Administrative Office

Resources: Links and information on suicide, bereavement and prevention, forum for academics and professionals, task force, Annual conference and events

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide

http://www.uk-sobs.org.uk

National Helpline (UK): 0844 561 6855

University of Oxford Centre for Suicide Research

http://cebmh.warne.ox.ac.uk/csr/

Telephone: +44 (0)1865 738585