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STOP THE STIGMA
November 10, 2016 6:30 pm Admission: $5.00
Michigan Technological University Campus, Fisher Hall Room 135
The Do It For Daniel film tells the incredible story of Daniel and how the community of Ishpeming through the Hematite football team rallied to restore hope for all who suffer from this medical illness. We believe that through education, we can help stop the stigma. People who suffer from these illnesses will fell less isolated and more willing to seek help. It is our goal is to get this documentary into every high school in the United States and all distribution channels that can help stop the stigma.
“When he was first diagnosed, when he came forward as a junior, we had to decide then: Are we going to hide it because of the stigma?” said Jeff Olson, Daniel’s father.
And so it was, their story became public knowledge. Jeff Olson, the head coach of the Ishpeming Hematites. Daniel Olson, his son, the star quarterback. Intertwined forever, by more than familial ties.
“And then when he did complete suicide,” said Olson. “Do you hide that?”
The answer was a resounding ‘no’. Daniel’s battle with depression has been carried forward on a much larger front.
“It helps us grieve,” said Olson. “It helps us heal knowing that we’re helping people. So now, let’s educate people. Let’s treat people that suffer from some type of mental illness.”
In 2010, Daniel Olson’s Hematites came up just short in the state championship game. A year later, Daniel took his own life. Now, his story is being turned into a documentary. With Olson’s sister, Jaime, doing the narration.
“Narrating helps me more than anything else because it’s like I get to tell my brother’s story,” said Jaime Olson. “So, I feel a lot closer to the whole situation, I guess.”
The documentary producers, in town for the big premiere, were close to the situation, too.
“We did this in the first place because our daughter was diagnosed in 2011,” said producer Kammi Berens. “And when we sat down with coach and Sally at the McDonald’s to meet them for the first time, they poured out their hearts about their son and we poured out our hearts about our daughter.”
“Basically, our hope for this documentary is that people will be able to watch this and use it as a tool to start a dialogue about anxiety, depression, and suicide,” said co-producer Michael Berens.
But the documentary’s release is just the beginning.
“Hopefully, some big name will pick it up, show it in large market areas,” said Jeff Olson. “Then we want to get it into every high school in the country.”
The people behind the film hope to educate, distort the stigma, and confront the issue head–on. His family is doing it for Daniel – hoping Daniel’s story will do it for the world.
