Public Media to offer free screening of acclaimed documentary on mental health at Geisinger Commonwealth

VIA Public Media and Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine’s (GCSOM) Behavioral Health Initiative will offer a free screening of the documentary God Knows Where I Am on Wednesday, May 1 at 5:30 p.m. in the GCSOM auditorium at 525 Pine Street in Scranton. The public is invited to attend the screening and participate in the community conversation about mental health issues that will occur following the film. Details, directions and free reservations are available here.

God Knows Where I Am is the story of Linda Bishop, a well-educated New Hampshire mother who suffered from severe bipolar disorder with psychosis. Intermittently incarcerated and homeless, she was committed to a state psychiatric facility. Linda was able to refuse treatment and medication and procure an early release, despite the lack of post release planning. She broke into an abandoned farmhouse and lived on rainwater and apples picked from a nearby orchard through one of the coldest winters on record, eventually starving to death. Her body was discovered several months later and with it a diary that Linda kept documenting her harrowing journey. The diary – and the documentary – are poignant, beautiful, spiritual and deeply disturbing.

VIA Senior Vice President Chris Norton will moderate the discussion featuring panelists Leighton Huey, MD, associate dean, professor of psychiatry and director of Behavioral Health for Geisinger Northeast, and Jeri McNulty, a community member with lived experience. God Knows Where I Am is a testament to the artistic and independent spirit of Linda Bishop, but the film also raises questions of social justice. What does it mean to live in the most powerful country on earth, when our society fails to protect those who cannot protect themselves?  

About Geisinger
Geisinger is committed to making better health easier for the more than 1 million people it serves. Founded more than 100 years ago by Abigail Geisinger, the system now includes 10 hospital campuses, a health plan with more than half a million members, a research institute and the Geisinger College of Health Sciences, which includes schools of medicine, nursing and graduate education. With more than 25,000 employees and 1,700+ employed physicians, Geisinger boosts its hometown economies in Pennsylvania by billions of dollars annually. Learn more at geisinger.org or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.