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Waiting for Tearah – One Family’s Fight for Mental Health Care (full documentary) | FRONTLINE



Waiting for Tearah – One Family’s Fight for Mental Health Care (full documentary) | FRONTLINE

“Waiting for Tearah” follows a family’s struggle to navigate America’s mental health care system, and explores the often unseen costs of care.

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At 16, Tearah, who suffers from mental illness, remains stuck in a hospital month after month, as her mother struggles to navigate America’s mental health care system. As Shayna, a single parent of three girls, fights to get Tearah residential treatment, she faces the possibility of losing her home and even custody of her daughter.

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This film was produced as part of the FRONTLINE and Firelight Media fellowship to support diverse independent producers interested in investigative documentary filmmaking.

Additional reporting support for Documentalista in partnership with Type Investigations.

Funding for WAITING FOR TEARAH was provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the Independent Television Service (ITVS) and Type Investigations.

Funding for FRONTLINE is provided through the support of PBS viewers and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Major funding for FRONTLINE is provided by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Ford Foundation. Additional funding is provided by the Abrams Foundation, the Park Foundation, The John and Helen Glessner Family Trust, and the FRONTLINE Journalism Fund with major support from Jon and Jo Ann Hagler on behalf of the Jon L. Hagler Foundation.

ABOUT FIRELIGHT MEDIA: Founded and led by MacArthur “genius” fellow Stanley Nelson and award-winning writer and philanthropy executive Marcia Smith, Firelight was born to address the deficit of films made by and about diverse communities. Recent productions include: Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool, The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution, Freedom Summer, and Freedom Riders. Firelight’s flagship program – the Documentary Lab – is a fellowship that provides mentorship, funding, and access to emerging filmmakers from underrepresented communities.

Major funding for Firelight is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcast, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Ford Foundation. Additional funding is provided by the Nathan Cummings Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, Lumina Foundation, Andrus Family Fund, Wellspring Advisers, Bertha Foundation, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and Genuine Article Pictures.

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39 Comments

  8. @cd6770 on

    The patience and respect mom showsTearah is extrodanary to say the least, God picked this mom for Tearah for ovious reasons,

  9. @Lulu5771 on

    Major Respect to this Mother !!
    I worked in behavioral health for many years. I remember a woman I worked with who was CEO of my company. We were discussing a particularly difficult case, a family with a situation not unlike this family’s. The CEO said to me, we can’t serve everyone. I was disgusted and horrified that these words just rolled off her tongue. Like tough $h!t. I lost hope for our children and all respect for the higher ups. They make so much money with salary and the bonuses are in the millions. Part of how they are successful is that they figure out how not to help people. That is literally their job. Keep as much money from the contracts they are tasked with administering.
    Thank you to Frontline for this program highlighting this issue that almost always is ignored. ❤
    All the best to the young girl and her family. ❤

  12. @sherriharris3855 on

    Has birth control been discussed??!! I definitely think a permanent solution would benefit the daughter as well as the mother!! She definitely won't be able to take care of a child on her own and any dog that preys on these type of children needs to be CASTRATED!!!

  13. @IlaughedIcried on

    I'm in tears, I love this family so much. Shayna is a mother like no other — the love in her heart, and devotion to her kids, and ability to stay grounded and patient with Tearah…her ability to see the goodness and worth in Tearah and not let that be obscured or overridden by her challenges…I don't know that I've ever seen a mother with this degree of innate skill before. And Tearah IS so lovable, and so completely deserves a wonderful life filled with love, affirmation, satisfaction and joy. God, I just want the best for this family with all my heart. What beautiful people, inside and out!!!

  15. @TayaD34 on

    To watch the struggles this famiy has overcome, the connections with each, and the strength of Tearah's mother is so wonderful. I cried, smiled and laughed watching this video. I wish the best for this family, and hope one day they recieve the funding for whatever is needed to help Tearah for her mental healh care.

  17. @casadefreedom3836 on

    This mother is amazing! The lengths that she goes for the love of her daughter is inspiring. I hope that one day, soon, Big Pharma can take some of their billions in profits and actually help people with mental health issues.

  25. @KR-ne1eb on

    Their family is so beautiful ! Hope they find peace and love despite thier challenges. I know God has a special place prepared for those precious souls who are true in heart but suffer from mental illness

  30. @haras928 on

    Residential would have PERFECTTTTTTTTT for her. I can’t believe how the system failed her. Praying for her mother and sisters continued strength because I know it’s tough.

  32. @desicatz on

    I commend any parents who have to raise children who are disabled in a country where mental health is even less important than physical health.