Mental Health Professionals Help Sundance Film Festival Attendees “Unpack” Heavy Storylines

January 29, 2025

The truth is, powerful movies can be… really powerful. And disturbing. Or just really emotionally frustrating. Quite often, some combination of all those descriptors. It’s a reality filmgoers have known for a long time, and one the folks at this year’s annual Sundance Film Festival have enlisted mental health professionals to deal with.

Speaking to Utah’s KSL News Radio, counselors like licensed clinical social worker Amanda McNab revealed that they are present in theaters to help viewers “unpack” what they see in the special screenings.

“We don’t really like to announce our presence because we don’t want people to think that a film is a certain way before they actually get to see it,” she told the outlet.

While they don’t say they’re there, they’re ready to speak with those who’ve found themselves troubled by elements of the storylines. It’s an innovative approach to mental health in a world that’s still learning how to engage the topic.

This year’s Sundance Film Festival began on January 23, and it will end this Sunday. Check out more information here.

From Your Site Articles