‘Forest for the Trees’ Documentary to be Screened at East Tennessee State University

On Wednesday, May 8, from 6-8 p.m., East Tennessee State University (ETSU) will host a film screening of a crucial documentary titled “Forest for the Trees: The Impact of Stigma on Pregnant and Postpartum Women with Substance Use Disorder.” The powerful film features important insights from ETSU faculty and other regional addiction experts. The screening will take place in Powell Recital Hall at the ETSU Martin Center for the Arts and is free to all members of the public, although advanced registration is a requirement.

About the Documentary

The documentary, “Forest for the Trees”, is the result of an innovative partnership between Dr. Kelly Moore from the ETSU Ballad Health Strong BRAIN Institute and Jordy Whetsell of Chroma Creative. An assistant professor in the ETSU Department of Psychology and affiliate faculty of ETSU’s Addiction Science Center, Dr. Moore stated that the aim of the film is to “raise awareness about the stigma surrounding substance use disorder among pregnant and postpartum women.”

The film dissects the science underpinning substance use disorder and its corresponding treatment, highlighting the importance and benefits of a health care approach that incorporates both evidence-based screening and empathetic patient interaction. This is a critically relevant discussion in Tennessee, a state with the unfortunate distinction of holding the second-highest drug overdose rate in the United States, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Funding and Collaborations

A generous grant of $175,000 from the Tennessee Department of Health, via the Overdose Data to Action federal award from the CDC, funded the creation of the film. Having an expertise in stigma reduction, Dr. Moore was chosen to lead the project.

The film benefits from the expertise of numerous ETSU professors in psychology and addiction medicine, including Dr. Diana Morelen and Dr. Joyce Troxler. Collaboration was forged with several contributors from around the East Tennessee region and beyond. This includes contributions from professionals in recovery programs, health solutions, policy networks, and judicial districts among others.

Registration for the Film Screening

Interested individuals and parties should waste no time in registering for the screening at the provided online link. Such an occasion is invaluable for anyone interested in understanding the scope of substance use disorder, as it pertains especially to pregnant and postpartum women, and its relationship with societal stigma.