[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
Jeff Baena was dedicated to furthering the conversation surrounding mental health prior to his death.
On Saturday, we discovered that the 47-year-old filmmaker was tragically found dead in his Los Angeles home on Friday morning. The Los Angeles Medical Examiner has since confirmed that he sadly died by suicide. Beyond that, details surrounding Jeff’s death are sparse… But what we do know is he openly talked about his family’s history with mental health — something he was passionate enough about to make a movie about.
You may have heard of or seen the 2020 film Horse Girl starring Alison Brie. If you haven’t, take a look at the trailer (below):
Co-written by Jeff and Alison, the pair held a Q&A on Reddit at the time of the film’s release, where the former opened up about their inspiration. He revealed:
“Alison and I both have had family members who have had mental illness, and it was a major influence on working on this.”
One user asked about the main character being sent home from a mental health facility despite it being “clear she needed more help and support.” And Jeff responded:
“Unfortunately, people get released all the time when they still need treatment. the 72 hour mandatory hold only applies to patients who are a danger to themselves, so they must be released after that appraisal period.”
He also went a step further to reveal how mental health had touched his life:
“My first stepmom had manic depression and was in and out of facilities in Miami due to the Baker Act (5150 in california.)”
How tough. That must have been difficult to see as a youngster growing up…
The Redditor also asked if Horse Girl serves as a “statement about how our systems are failing us all for both our mental and physical treatment” — And Jeff had the following to say:
“While I would not consider ‘Horse Girl’ to be an activist film, the themes of how we as a society and individuals treat persons with mental illness was a major focus and impetus for making this.”
Such an important message that so severely needs to continue being told.
As far as Alison’s experience goes, she noted she “tapped into very real emotions” while writing and acting, as her grandmother suffered from “paranoid schizophrenia.” She wrote:
“It’s based on my family’s history with mental illness, specifically my grandmother’s schizophrenia, and my fear of that existing in my DNA.”
This all just hits even harder now…
Our hearts continue to be with Jeff’s loved ones during this unimaginable time. Rest in peace.
For resources on mental health, visit https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, help is available. Consider contacting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, by calling, texting, or chatting, or go to 988lifeline.org
[Images via FayesVision/MEGA/WENN]
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