Documentary Highlights Addiction and Mental Health

Awareness about addiction and Chabad Lifeline’s work were highlighted at the screening of a documentary in a packed theatre in the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

Emotions were front and centre as an audience of over 250 gathered in the Maxwell Cumming Auditorium at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts to break the stigma of addiction and watch the documentary film “32 pills: my sister’s suicide.”

Thirteen staff members from Chabad Lifeline, a non-sectarian agency helping everyone affected by addiction, were in attendance at the film screening, where it was announced that the organization would be sending youth counselors on a weekly basis into Royal West Academy and five alternative schools across Montreal to provide one on one counseling to students affected by addiction.

Bresinger, Producer Beth Levison and Director Ruth Litoff addressed questions following the film, with Litoff speaking about the complexities of mental health and her constant struggle with addiction.

The evening concluded with a dessert reception where members of the audience were able to speak to Levison, Litoff, and Chabad Lifeline staff one on one.

The film screening was part of the Au Contraire Film Festival and benefited Chabad Lifeline, who organized the evening.

“We chose to screen this heartbreaking and honest yet uplifting film because of the rawness in its portrayal of the link between addiction and mental health and how it affects the family.” – Benyamin Bresinger, Director of Chabad Lifeline

“Full credit to Hope. She lays it all out on the line here. She is front and centre as the film’s reluctant star as well as its director. She comes clean with her pain and her demons and her battle with the bottle. She doesn’t gloss over anything. This is full warts and all.” – Bill Brownstein, Montreal Gazette

About Chabad Lifeline

Lifeline is a non-sectarian agency dedicated to helping everyone affected by addiction. We offer a full range of treatment options and comprehensive youth at-risk programs. People suffering from substance and behavioural addictions and their family members are guided through the process of healing and recovery. Our services are immediate and free to those in need, supported by your generous donations.

Our team of social workers, counsellors, and peers help forge the lifeline relationships that clients need to keep their lives on track. We know first-hand how essential our services are in preventing today’s at-risk youth from becoming tomorrow’s addict.