Celebration of Service – Into the Light Film Screening – Nov 12

Charles C. Stuart Writer, Producer and Director

A documentary about a Marine returning from Afghanistan with psychological injuries who meets a therapist who is confronting her own family’s struggles with mental illness.

SUMMARY: Our story focuses on Brendan O’Toole, a former Marine Sgt., and his struggle upon returning home after serving his country in Afghanistan.   As he sets out to run across America to raise awareness and ” to find goodness in himself”, he meets a psychologist, Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen who  started an organization that provides free mental health care to those who serve and their families – so that they don’t have to suffer alone or in silence. As Barbara works with veterans like Brendan all over the country – and the therapists who give their services – she comes to the realization that she needs to share her own story.   Her mother had a psychotic break when Barbara was a baby and she has not seen her in 40 years. Not only does Barbara share her story publicly  for the first time, she also sets out on a journey to try to find her. Our cameras are present over the course of two years of filming Brendan’s run across the country, Barbara’s search for her mother ….and her dramatic discovery.