Hearts and Minds: Teens and Mental Illness

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“Hearts and Minds” is a 27-minute program produced by Idaho Public Television in cooperation with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. The program profiles four different teens with different mental illnesses, the challenges they have faced and how they have learned to live with their diagnosis.

The program was first broadcast in 1999, and garnered a Peabody Award for Excellence in Television. Copies were provided free of charge to many Idaho schools. See below for ordering information.

The objectives of the program are:
  • To decrease the stigma surrounding mental illnesses.
  • To show that people with a diagnosis of a mental illness can and do lead productive lives.
  • To explain that mental illnesses have a biological basis and can be treated.
  • To teach the signs and symptoms of major mental illnesses.
  • To encourage young people to get help if they feel they have a mental illness, or get help for others who might be in need.
  • To illustrate that mental illness can affect anyone.

On this web site:

  • Information about each of the mental illnesses discussed in the video, linked to from the profiles below.
  • A list of additional web sites for more information, associations and groups, and so on.
Amy Amy is 16 and enjoys hanging out with friends and family and raising pigs for 4H competitions. Amy hopes to become a lawyer. She has been diagnosed with manic depression, or bi-polar disorder.

Learn more about manic depression/bi-polar disorder.

 Brandon Seventeen-year-old Brandon enjoys drawing, counseling other teens, and driving his new truck. He is entering the military and hopes to go to college. Brandon has been diagnosed with depression.

Learn more about depression.
Holly Holly, 18, grew up in southeastern Idaho. She enjoys playing the piano, collecting Barbie dolls and being with her new husband Adam. She is in college and hopes to study business or nursing. Holly has been diagnosed with a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Learn more about obsessive-compulsive disorder.

 Jennifer Jennifer enjoys being with her friends, walking, and cooking. She hopes to help others like her. Jennifer, 20, has a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Learn more about schizophrenia.

If you would like a copy of the Hearts & Minds video, please call Lynn Richter at (208)334-5689.