Documentary screening at CMU to spotlight mental health crisis in rural America
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – April 24, 2025 – CMU Stages will host a special screening of The Invisible Patient, a powerful documentary exposing the challenges of the mental healthcare systems in rural America. The event, open to the public, will take place on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 6:30 pm MST at the Asteria Theatre, located at 864 Bunting Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81501.
Following the screening, a panel discussion will feature filmmaker Herry Fuentes and a panel of behavior health experts. The conversation will focus on solutions to the mental health crisis and strategies to improve care for individuals living with serious mental illness.
The Invisible Patient delves into the struggles of patients and providers navigating a strained mental healthcare system, highlighting untold stories of resilience and systemic failures.
“In Western Colorado, we’re in the midst of a slow-motion crisis,” said Herry Fuentes, producer and co-director. “I decided to put everything I’ve got into this project because my skin is in the game — all of ours is. The good news? We already have the tools we need to make a difference.”
Linda Stout, executive producer, was inspired to amplify the message of Thomas Insel’s book Healing, stating, “I wanted to understand the deeper reasons behind this — how a system could fail so many.”
Co-director Jaden Quan added, “To me, this film provided me a chance to re-evaluate my experiences, learn a bit about forgiveness, and find pride in telling untold stories.”
Chris Lindley, Chief Population Health Officer at Vail Health, said, “Behavioral health is not separate from physical health—it affects all of us, every day, and it deserves the same urgency, compassion, and dignity. It’s stories like this that highlight the need—and drive our determination—to transform the behavioral health system.”
Tickets are available at CMUstages.com/tickets. Watch the official trailer on Vimeo: The Invisible Patient.