Documentary Screening of "The Inmates Are Running the Asylum: Stories from MPA"

Vancouver's MPA (Mental Patients Association) was formed in 1970-71 as a grassroots response to deinstitutionalization and tragic gaps in community mental health. Inverting traditional mental health hierarchies, the group had former patients and allies in charge. MPA provided homes, work, and a sense of belonging and self-determination to ex-patients.

Working collaboratively with academic scholars and talented young artists and film-makers, a group of early MPA members created a 36 minute documentary. Provocative, passionate and engaging, this film has something important to say about social justice, community-building and mental health today.

This event is taking place on occupied Coast Salish territories of the sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish), sel̓ íl̓ witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam) nations.