Film aims to create understanding, end stigma about mental illness

IRONWOOD - Nearly 1,000 people were impacted Thursday by the story of Daniel Olson. Daniel of Marquette was 19-years-old when he took his life by suicide. "Do It For Daniel" is a documentary of his struggle with depression and mental illness and a message of hope.

The movie was shown at the Historic Ironwood Theatre to students in grades 7 through 12 from Hurley, Ironwood, Bessemer and Wakefield-Marenisco through the day. The day ended with a final evening showing to the general public.

Jeff Olson, Daniel's father, said his son passed away seven years ago, and the documentary took about two and a half years to put together. So far he has reached out with the story to 84 schools and has done more than 130 presentations.

"I am trying to create an understanding about mental illness and to end the stigma," Olson said. "People think (those suffering) are weak or trying to create drama. It's a medical illness like any other. I want people to understand what it's like and how common it is," he said.

Comments to Olson after seeing the film have ranged from thanking him for bringing it out into the open, that they finally understood what they and others were going through, and to coming to him and asking for help, he said.

After one presentation, a student came up to him and just quietly stood. When Olson asked if he was suffering, the student put his head on Olson's shoulder. The student's parents made a doctor's appointment for the next day.

Olson said his son suffered for eight years in silence, then fought it another three years after his diagnosis. "If you have a medical illness, it's going to knock you down," he said. "Early recognition is key. The more bouts of depression you have, the more prone you are to more severe bouts."

One of the symptoms of depression Olson talked about is a sadness or inability to feel joy. Just as if a person was medically sick, he or she would not enjoy a sunny day, for example. It's the same with depression, he said.

Sometimes immaturity, or changing hormones may be to blame for a child's depression. But that's why it needs to be talked about and more in the open, he said.

The thing Olson wants people to know is that there is always hope. It's very treatable. And to the parents he wants to say, "You did nothing wrong."

Wayne Behrendt of Gile said after Thursday evening's showing, "It was moving. It was nothing like I've ever seen. What an amazing family."

An Emergency Medical Technician was in the audience and said it was amazing. "It put it into perspective 100 percent," said Katelyn Sterbenz of Ironwood, adding as an EMT, she has seen a lot of deaths by suicide and it's heartbreaking.

Towards the end of the film, Daniel's sister speaks. "Even though he is gone, he is still helping so many people," she said.