“Reflections of an Indian Family Affected by Mental Illness and Loss: “Unbroken Glass” a Film by Dinesh

Das Sabu”
(Article submitted by Matthew R. Mock, PhD)

One of DoSAA’s important initiatives is to share more stories about mental illness. As we teach and train others
to work with Asian and Asian American families we can draw on resources readily available. The mental illness
of one family member can contribute to stigma and shame within the family system. Domestic violence,
immigration stress and unresolved loss often underlie or compound mental health issues. In my recent
advocacy work with Asian American young adults I have discussed how they are at-risk for depression, suicidal
ideation and other adjustment problems. In some ways family can be a source of support in others unintended
pressure. Proactive education regarding mental health concerns for AAPI communities as well as strategies and
responsive services to address them are critical. Actual representations of how families are inter-generationally
impacted by psychological struggles can contribute significantly to cultural and clinical humility.

While teaching my graduate students, I have become acutely aware of key points in their learning. Among
these are when I decreased the distance between them and the impact of mental illness. While it is important
to have a cognitive understanding of schizophrenia, for example, it is another to bear witness and hear how an
Asian parent is affected by schizophrenia along with her family. In order to effectively combat stigma and
shame there must be change from multiple sources and directions. Families who experience mental illness
must feel safe and respected for coming out with their situations. Others who are fortunate to be brought
closer to hear these stories must listen with authentic empathy and compassion. People are aware that mental
wellness is a key aspect of life. Social stress and mental illness is also a part of life within our diverse
communities. Ongoing multi-directional discussions about mental health and mental illness are needed to
transform our perspectives. We can and must do better to include people often relationally or socially
marginalized.

I was fortunate to see the documentary “Unbroken Glass,” a film by Dinesh Das Sabu about his own South Asian
family. I first saw this film with psychology interns and the filmmaker at a community showing hosted by Helen
H. Hsu, PsyD, President of the Asian American Psychological Association in Fremont. Watching it again, I
continue to find it to be a powerful, reflective personal film about Dinesh’s Indian family past, present and
future. He tenderly shares true stories about his family through the construction of photos, film and
storytelling. His interviews and interactions with family members are insightful and revealing sometimes
providing useful insights and understanding while at others depicting some of the interpersonal walls built
through stigma. Rather than respond to one of his sister’s musings if their mother’s mental illness is due to
something culturally, spiritually, interpersonal conflict or individual imperfection as might be the source of
stigma, Dinesh continues his journey through his family relationships.

With one of the recent initiatives of DoSAA to share personal stories about mental illness this poignant
documentary film does just that: Dinesh’s mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia and shortly after his
father’s death she committed suicide. His two parents had passed when he was only six years old. One of five
children, he was raised by his two older siblings. Through often dramatic yet tender interviews, we get glimpses
of how each of his sibling was impacted by mental illness, domestic violence, identity conflicts, immigration,
family change and more. The unfolding of the Sabu family doesn’t happen linearly or simply through the
film. In some ways it unfolds as the therapeutic process often does: insightfully, powerfully and with more work
to follow with what unfolds or is revealed. After all “Unbroken Glass” begins with Dinesh Das Sabu riding on a
train gazing into a mirror poised with a camera in hand. One of his first remarks is that he became an orphan at
age 6, and now, two decades later, he has little memory of his parents. He is preparing to look into the
reflecting glass uncertain where it will take him. Eventually he spends time in Albuquerque interviewing his
siblings but eventually takes viewers to his sister’s family wedding in India. While the excitement of future
family lineage is very present so are Dinesh’s anxieties about the specter of mental illness as part of his family
history. While initially silenced, by delicately bringing forth his family history of mental illness, family conflict,
immigrant loss and multiple trauma Dinesh provides a fascinating, touching story of what it means to be Indian
American impacted by mental illness and how understanding family history can be a gift for family future.

Dinesh weaves strands of stories that he is able to garner with the help of his siblings and others close to his
family. Through family photos his older sisters share good moments, times of transition and experiences of
concern. While one of his brothers wants to help him with his questions he declares that he does not want to
hurt others by visiting the past. Dinesh remains undaunted and more curious about how his parents’
relationship and health impacted the family. By finding out more about his family’s past, Dinesh and his
siblings are able to make connections in the present. During one especially poignant discussion with one of his
sisters she reflects out loud wondering if her mother hated her because she treated her so coldly. Her recent
studies as a physician’s assistant lead her read more about schizophrenia. It is at this point that she realizes her
mothers change was due to this psychological illness. Dinesh himself comments that by keeping the family’s
past with their mother’s illness a secret from others around them they also kept it a secret within them. Despite
his sister’s tears and his own hesitancies, Dinesh gently continues on his journey eventually traveling back to
India.

As a longstanding family psychologist and professor of psychology, I am consistently looking for effective ways
of teaching. I am also committed to increasing my graduate student‘s or early therapist’s appreciation of
culture as well as decreasing stigma and shame from the impact of mental illness. Important family dynamics
including the impact of immigration; the impact of interpersonal violence; cultural stress and change all must
be understood. The award-winning documentary film “Unbroken Glass” by Dinesh Das Sabu available through
Kartemquin Films is a valuable source for teaching, learning and practicing cultural humility in this case with a
multi-generational Indian family.

Matthew R. Mock, PhD

Private Practice:
2714 Telegraph Avenue, #3
Berkeley, CA 94705
DrMMock@comcast.net
&
Professor of Counseling Psychology
John F. Kennedy University
mmock@jfku.edu