BURIED ABOVE GROUND is a feature-length documentary that interweaves unforgettable stories of individuals battling and trying to overcome the paralyzing and psychotic symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a devastating anxiety disorder that develops after exposure to a serious traumatic event such as a rape, kidnapping, domestic assault, car accident, plane crash, terrorist attack, bombing, or natural disaster. Approximately 8% of people in the United States will develop PTSD, while the lifetime prevalence of the disorder amongst combat veterans and rape victims is even higher, ranging from 10% to as high as 30%. The symptoms of PTSD can include flashbacks, long-term severe depression, dissociation, emotional numbness, avoidance, substance abuse, suicide, dislocation, and social retreat. BURIED ABOVE GROUND documents the harrowing stories of Americans living with the burdens of PTSD--a soldier returning from service in the Middle East, Hurricane Katrina survivor, as well as a rape and domestic violence survivor. With these stories, BURIED ABOVE GROUND will take the realities of living with PTSD out of the shadows and allow audiences to experience the emotional, medical, and financial costs of this growing mental health epidemic.

While each of the stories will have a distinct arc and drama, all the film’s subjects share the disorder’s devastating symptoms, as well as the feelings of social isolation that too often results from a PTSD diagnosis. The characters also share a goal of trying to successfully manage their PTSD despite tremendous internal and external obstacles. The film’s subjects include:

BURIED ABOVE GROUND is a mental health film, a human rights film and a testimonial of courage that will be an inspiration and tool of awareness for the American public. The film’s aim is to give voice to those disempowered by PTSD in hopes that their stories will promote awareness, understanding, and compassion so that our nation can begin to undo the prevailing forces of silence - guilt, shame and stigma - that engulf the brave Americans struggling to overcome this debilitating disorder.

Where does the title “BURIED ABOVE GROUND” come from?

The title of the documentary comes from a line in English writer William Cowper’s (26 November 1731 – 25 April 1800) poem entitled “Hatred and vengeance, my eternal portion.” This poem was written in the aftermath of his third suicide attempt. In my mind, the despair he represents in this poem, resonates as the darkest days of someone experiencing the debilitating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Hatred and vengeance, my eternal portion