Latest news with #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder
News18
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
DNA Review: Atharvaa's Film Has Good Ideas But Suffers From Generic Execution
Last Updated: DNA Movie Review: Director Nelson's film has a good central idea, but spends too much time on exposition. DNA Movie Review: Director Nelson Venkatesan has a knack for unearthing interesting conflicts that naturally lend themselves to strong screenplays and good film structure. In Monster, a humanitarian is tormented by a rat—a brilliant idea that renders itself effortlessly for an off-beat and comic script. In Farhaana, a married woman from a conservative background finds herself in a fix when she gives in to her whims. With DNA, Nelson has arrived at his best idea yet: a woman with Borderline Personality Disorder insists her newborn isn't hers, casting doubts even in her mother's head. The woman is Divya (Nimisha Sajayan). When we meet her, she is told to keep her mouth shut before her potential groom and his family. But she fails, betraying her eccentricity. Her mom slaps and berates her, saying she would never find a guy. We also meet Anand (Atharvaa). Except for the name, he doesn't have any Anand (joy) in his life. A bad breakup and the eventual suicide of his girlfriend turn him into a marijuana addict and alcoholic. He brings shame to his otherwise honourable family of scholars. After one such embarrassment, his father curses him to rot. After days in rehabilitation, Anand becomes calm. However, his past and unsuccessful career make his father decide that he should 'settle' for Divya. Despite learning about her problems only on the wedding eve, Anand agrees to marry Divya. They have a wonderful phase, which gets punctuated when Divya stubbornly refuses to accept that the baby she is given at the ward is the same one she was shown in the operation theatre. When everyone claims that her mental faculty is the reason behind her complaint, Anand believes her—and thus begins an investigation into the dark world of child trafficking and human sacrifice. But, as with all his previous ventures, Nelson stumbles with the execution. DNA takes a lot of time to get down to business. While it is understandable that Nelson wants to set some background for Anand and Divya, we spend way too much time here. Also, such deliberation and reasoning to show why someone would marry a person with a mental disorder is a bit unsettling. Furthermore, Divya's mental condition doesn't serve much to the film's story except that she can notice minute and subtle details, like the difference even in newborns. But these nuanced problems are forgivable, given that the film suffers from a lot more obvious blunders. Some of them are issues one would assume Tamil cinema has long moved past. An example is all the songs. We have a typical TASMAC breakup song and another pointless bar song with Gayathrie Shankar. The songs reminded me of the dialogue from Thug Life about feasting on a banana leaf. Also, the prologue of the film is unnecessarily misleading. While it leaves one constantly pondering the connection between the segment and the film, it feels like a bit of cheating when things get revealed. Nelson employs such techniques to build tension, but sometimes they invoke frustration instead—like the build-up he employs in revealing Bose Venkat's character. The prolonged suspense in the case is unnecessary because it does not reveal anything significant. Such problems get magnified when juxtaposed with all the wonderful things Nelson achieves in the film. The performances, the exploration, and the engaging police procedural make DNA a solid film—except for the misgivings that sporadically annoy. Such frustration isn't from a place of utter disappointment—DNA is still a largely engaging thriller that leaves you guessing throughout—but from a place of lamentation about a film that fell short of greatness. First Published:
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘DNA' movie review: A froth of contrivance floats over big, promising ideas
A man lost to the winds of life and a mentally-challenged woman give life a second chance and get married. A young woman, whose sensitivity is mistaken for incapacity, fights a lonely battle when she believes her newborn baby was swapped with someone else's. A man, tussling with existential guilt and the burden of escape, takes a piercing look at the societal pressures that fall upon most married couples in a conservative society. A new father realises that it takes newborns a month for distinct facial features to develop and hence struggles to identify his child. You find many such big, ambitious ideas, all promising to come together in an engaging investigative thriller, in director Nelson Venkatesan's DNA, starring Atharvaa and Nimisha Sajayan. Unfortunately, these ideas remain disjointed isles of potential. The film wishes you forgive its smaller lapses and take a leap of faith in its larger pursuit. Take, for instance, how we are introduced to the protagonist, Anand (Atharvaa, who gives his all), a heartbroken man who has given up on life and spends his time drinking and wallowing in self-pity. Just when you are wondering if it was really a heartbreak that pushed him to such a low point, we learn that he is burdened by something tragic that has happened to his ex-lover. Though presumably written not to villainise her, you find a convenience in how the idea is communicated, and how it abandoned without the necessary follow-ups. 'DNA' (Tamil) Director: Nelson Venkatesan Cast: Atharvaa, Nimisha Sajayan, Balaji Sakthivel, Ramesh Thilak Runtime: 140 minutes Storyline: A mysterious case of newborn babies being swapped at a private hospital unravels dark truths Then we are introduced to Dhivya (Nimisha in a one-note role that doesn't build on the initial promise), a mentally challenged woman who sees no sense in how others perceive her imperfections. Nelson wishes to make a strong case for those who stigmatise mental illnesses or loosely use the offensive term 'loosu' (meaning 'dumb'). But then, is Dhivya suffering from cognitive development issues, or is she suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder, or is she an intellectually disabled woman who also suffers from BPD? We are told that she is quite sensitive and tends to obsess over the minor details of life. But it's only ironic that the film maps out her 'illness' and doesn't help us understand what goes on in her mind, or if she could fully understand what marriage, living with a man who hardly knows about her condition, or, later, having a child with him, really means. What did she see in Anand that made her agree to the alliance, or what did she understand when Anand saved her from embarrassment at their wedding and declared that this was a chance at a new life given to him? We don't get any answers. In fact, Dhivya and Anand are strangers with lives so drastically different that you would expect a conversation or two as an entry point into understanding each other; usually in such films, the wedding night, when they are alone for the first time, provides that opportunity. In DNA, strangely, Dhivya makes a joke to Anand, and they get intimate — again, she innocently says she is unaware of what traditionally happens during the nuptial night, but her expression after he makes a move lacks the attendant surprise, so you really never understand Dhivya. A major problem with DNA is this rush in the narration, which at this juncture seems eager to get to the more sensational investigative thriller aspect of the film. Yet, even in that regard, the film misses dotting its i's and crossing its t's. After a year that passes by in a montage, Dhivya gives birth to a baby boy at a hospital; shortly after she sees the baby, he is taken to the incubator ward for a few minutes. When the baby is brought back, a puzzled Dhivya declares that this isn't her baby but somebody else's. Neither Anand nor her mother believes her, and the chief doctor, upon learning of Dhivya's mental condition, suspects that she's suffering from post-partum psychosis. You would expect a story about a test of faith between the couple and an investigation that makes you question fact from fiction (given how 'post-partum psychosis' is thrown in), but that isn't the case here. We know what had transpired, and the rest of the film is about the 'how' — because Nelson, in a scene preceding this, decides to reveal a trump card and spoon-feed information. Serving suspense requires giving some information that piques our interest, but you wonder if that could've been achieved without revealing a major key to the case. This hurried narration and convenient plotting continue throughout the investigation that follows. When one takes a step back, everything, from the initial scene that follows a road accident to how police officer Chinnasamy (Balaji Sakthivel) and Anand figure out some major clues, feels awfully convenient. Nelson Venkatesan's previous film, Farhana, told an intriguing thriller story with its heart in the right place and without getting too didactic about it. DNA, while it carries its noble intentions on its sleeves, seems to be the work of a less confident writer-director, one who starts his film with a soup song in a bar and ends all hope with an item song in a bar that serves no purpose. And you thought such trite ideas were no longer part of the genetic fabric of mainstream Tamil cinema. DNA is currently running in theatres
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Yahoo
Travis Decker Manhunt Timeline: Inside the Search for the Missing Washington Dad Accused of Killing His 3 Daughters
On May 30, Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia Decker were reported missing after a "planned visitation" with their dad, Travis Decker Travis is facing multiple charges after the young sisters were found dead on June 2 There has been an ongoing search for Travis, who his ex's lawyer told PEOPLE she thinks died by suicideThe Decker sisters were found dead on June 2. One week later, the search for their father, Travis Decker, continues. On May 30, Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8 and Olivia, 5 vanished during a "planned visitation" with their father, only to be found dead three days later. On June 6, friends and community members gathered in their hometown of Wenatchee Valley, Wash., to honor the young girls. "They were the kind of children that everyone rooted for, looked for, looked forward to seeing and held close in their hearts," family friend Amy Edwards said at the event. "They are cherished, not just by the family, but by our entire community who watched them grow, perform, learn and love." She continued, "We ache with the love we still carry for them, and we always will." There has been an ongoing search for Travis, who is now facing charges related to his daughters' deaths. According to ABC News, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison had a message for him during a June 3 press conference: "Travis, if you're listening, this is your opportunity to turn yourself in, do the right thing, do what you need to do and take accountability for your actions." "We're not going to rest, and we're going to make sure we find you," he continued. "You will be brought to justice, those young ladies deserve it." From when the young sisters went missing to the ongoing search for their father, here's a complete timeline of the Travis Decker case. In an emailed statement to PEOPLE on June 6, attorney Arianna Cozart, who represents Whitney, Travis' ex-wife and the mother of the young girls, gave some insight into the former couple's relationship. She shared that Whitney and Travis were married for a little over seven years, but ultimately split in 2022 as a result of "his mental health struggles, including his feelings of isolation, paranoia, and Borderline Personality Disorder." Cozart noted that Travis, who was an Army veteran, was seeking mental health care but was unable to obtain it. In a September 2024 parenting plan filed in Chelan County Superior Court and viewed by PEOPLE, Whitney sought to limit Travis' time with their young daughters. In a separate filing, also viewed by PEOPLE, Whitney claimed that Travis had "neglected his parental duties towards a child" and "has a long-term emotional or physical problem that gets in the way of his ability to parent." According to the parenting plan filing, Travis was granted visitations with his daughters for three hours on Fridays and eight hours every other weekend, as long as he stayed in Wenatchee Valley. In the filing, Whitney also requested that Travis undergo an anger management and domestic violence evaluation, as well as a comprehensive psychiatric assessment by a licensed psychiatrist to determine any potential diagnoses. The filing stated that if Decker didn't follow through with these things, the "mother will have the choice to further limit visitation." On May 26, Decker allegedly conducted online searches about how to move to Canada, according to a U.S. Marshals Service affidavit obtained by multiple outlets. Per the outlets, Travis searched "how to relocate to Canada" and "how does a person move to Canada," and also allegedly looked through a Canadian job site. The Decker sisters were last seen on Friday, May 30, after leaving their Washington home for a "planned visitation" with their father. According to Wenatchee Police Department's statement, the "visitation was part of a parenting plan," noting that he had "gone outside the parameters of it which is not normal and cause for alarm." Per The New York Times, their mother reported them missing on May 30 around 9:45 p.m. Travis was supposed to drop them off back home by 8 p.m. that night, but that didn't happen. "It was late enough that she felt the need to call police because it was out of the ordinary," Capt. Brian Chance of the Wenatchee Police Department said, per the outlet. According to the affidavit, his ex-wife told the police she was concerned because Travis was "currently experiencing some mental health issues," per The New York Times. Per Wenatchee Police Department's statement, Travis is "homeless and living in his vehicle or at various hotels/motels or at campgrounds in the area." On May 31, the Wenatchee Police Department released an endangered missing persons alert and said that the young girls were "believed to be missing and unable to return home on their own," explaining that they headed out with their dad around 5 p.m. the day before and hadn't been heard from or seen since then. The statement also noted that the investigation had "not met AMBER Alert criteria" at the time. On Monday, June 2, Washington State Patrol announced that they had canceled the endangered missing persons alert. Though officials did not immediately say why the alert was canceled, they announced the next day that the three young girls had been found dead on June 2. In a press release, the Wenatchee Police Department shared that authorities located their father's car near the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Wash., and found Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia dead at 3:45 p.m. on June 2. Travis, however, was not located at the scene. Fox 13 Seattle reported that his vehicle was found "with two bloody handprints" nearby where the girls' deceased bodies were located. The outlet also reported that various personal items were found inside, including blankets, food, car seats and a wallet "on the center console." According to court documents obtained by Fox 13 Seattle, Travis' cell phone activity reportedly showed "he drove to and left the same campground a day prior to the kidnapping." After the girls' death was announced on June 3, police said in a press conference that Travis had been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of kidnapping, on top of the custodial interference charges he was already facing — and the search for him continued. "It is unknown whether Decker is currently armed, but he may pose a significant risk, if approached," police said in their press release, adding that he has former military experience. Per The New York Times, Morrison said at a news conference that authorities had no leads on his location and believed "he could be anywhere within the nation." "We are searching anywhere and everywhere for him," Morrison explained. According to ABC News, police said during the press conference that there would be a $20,000 reward for any information leading to his arrest. Cozart spoke to ABC News on June 5 and said Travis showed "no red flags" before his daughters' disappearance. She went on to say that the system "failed" Travis, who struggled with mental health issues, including PTSD, and was unable to receive help through veterans' resources." The courts didn't fail these girls. It wasn't the judge and it wasn't Whitney; it was our system," Cozart said. "[Whitney] feels like the system really let Travis down. If somebody would have provided Travis with the help that he needed, those girls would be alive." The attorney continued, "He had some mental health issues and some instability in his life that really led to the restrictions as far as overnight visitation or him taking them out of the area, but other than that, he loved those girls very much and him and Whitney were able to communicate on a regular basis, not just as co-parents, but as friends." In Cozart's emailed statement to PEOPLE, the attorney said she thinks Travis likely died by suicide. '[Travis] probably killed himself up there somewhere," she said. Cozart went on to describe Travis as "a present and active father up until the end," sharing that he attended their "soccer games, dance, and theater productions." "Although Travis was struggling with his own mental health, he was a good co-parent, always communicating frequently with Whitney up until Friday evening when the girls went missing," she continued. On the evening of June 8, the Chelan County Sheriff's Office handed over the search efforts for Travis to federal authorities, while noting that they are still leading the criminal investigation. "We had reached a point where we need to rest our local resources," the CCSO wrote in a statement shared to their Facebook page. "Our command staff continues to be engaged with the search command while we give our teams time off to rest and recuperate and be ready to rejoin the search for, and capture of, the suspect." Authorities are asking anyone who has seen Travis to call 911 immediately and do not attempt to approach him. People can also call the CCSO tip line at 509-667-6845 or submit information to the tip line. After an autopsy was completed on June 6, authorities shared the official causes of death for the three young girls in a press release on June 9. "The cause of death was determined to be suffocation and the manner of death was determined to be homicide," the release stated. As of June 9, the GoFundMe campaign that was set up to help Whitney with expenses and legal costs amid the loss of her daughters has surpassed $1 million. If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to Read the original article on People
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
Mom of 3 Girls Allegedly Killed by Dad Shares Heartbreaking Video She Made for Father's Day (Exclusive)
A video exclusively shared with PEOPLE on June 6 shows a slideshow of photos of Travis Decker, Whitney Decker, and their three daughters Per police, Travis is suspected of killing the girls, Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5 after their bodies were found June 2 The manhunt for Travis remains ongoing as of June 6 Before the tragic news surfaced that three girls were found dead — and their father was suspected of killing them — their mother posted an online video tribute to her now-missing ex-husband, whom she claims was a good parent despite his mental health struggles, according to her attorney. The 20-second video, shared exclusively with PEOPLE through Whitney Decker's attorney Arianna Cozart on June 6, was made as a Father's Day tribute to Travis Decker, Cozart says. The video is filled with a slideshow photos of Travis, Whitney, and their daughters, Paityn Decker, 9, Evelyn Decker, 8, and Olivia Decker, 5, while Pharrell Williams' song "Happy" plays. It's unclear when exactly the video, which has a TikTok logo, was posted online, since Whitney's account is now private. Travis is suspected of killing the girls, who were found dead on June 2 near the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County, Wash., where his pickup truck was also recovered. The sisters were reported missing on May 30 after they had not returned on time from a 'planned visitation' with Travis, according to police. "Travis was a present and active father up until the end — still attending the girls' soccer games, dance, and theater productions," Cozart said in an emailed statement to PEOPLE on June 6. "Although Travis was struggling with his own mental health, he was a good co-parent, always communicating frequently with Whitney up until Friday evening when the girls went missing." According to Cozart, Decker and Whitney were married for a little over seven years and "his mental health struggles, including his feelings of isolation, paranoia, and Borderline Personality Disorder led to the crumbling of their marriage in 2022." The attorney notes that Travis, who was an Army veteran, was seeking mental health care but was unable to obtain it. Whitney later sought limitations to his parenting time, as explained in a September 2024 parenting plan filed in Chelan County Superior Court and viewed by PEOPLE. She claimed in a separate filing, also viewed by PEOPLE, that Decker had "neglected his parental duties towards a child" and "has a long-term emotional or physical problem that gets in the way of his ability to parent." He'd been granted visitations to visit his daughters for three hours on Fridays and eight hours every other weekend, as long as he stayed in Wenatchee Valley, per the parenting plan filing. He was not granted overnight visits. The schedule was only temporary due to the court process, Cozart says. In the filing, Whitney also asked that Decker be evaluated for anger management/domestic violence, and have a full psychiatric evaluation by a licensed psychiatrist to include any potential diagnoses. The filing stated that if Decker didn't follow through with these things, the "mother will have the choice to further limit visitation." Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Cozart tells PEOPLE that Travis "was not a violent man with Whitney or the girls, ever." The manhunt remains ongoing for Travis who is currently wanted for three counts of first-degree murder and one count of kidnapping, on top of custodial interference charges. The Chelan County Sheriff's Office previously said in Facebook post that Decker is "well versed in wilderness survival and capable of spending days or even weeks in the wilderness on his own and with very little equipment." Authorities are asking anyone who has seen Travis to call 911 immediately and do not attempt to approach him. People can also call the CCSO tip line at 509-667-6845 or submit information to the tip line. If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. Read the original article on People
Cision Canada
02-06-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
Homewood Health Centre's 3rd Annual Mental Health Symposium Highlights Women's Leadership in Mental Health Care
Over 190 primary care providers from across Canada including family and specialist physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and social workers attended the event in-person and virtually. In her welcome remarks, Jagoda Pike, CEO of Homewood Health Centre and President and CEO, Homewood Health Inc., emphasized the essential role of primary care providers in shaping mental health outcomes: "With the increased prevalence of mental health disorders nationally, enhancing mental health education in primary care practice is ever more critical. As frontline health care providers, they are uniquely positioned to identify early signs of illness and facilitate intervention. We want to empower them to make informed decisions while challenging and changing perceptions about accessing care." Driving Progress in Women's Mental Health The extensive knowledge and diverse perspectives shared by an all-female identifying panel aligned with Homewood Health Centre's initiatives to advance women's mental health outcomes. These include a collaboration with Dr. Benicio Frey, the inaugural Homewood Research Chair in Women's Mental Health and Depression, to translate research into clinical practice, and the launch of the Women's Trauma and Concurrent Program at Homewood Health Centre - one of the first of its kind in Canada, dedicated to treating complex trauma in women. "We aim to create more avenues to highlight women's invaluable contributions in this field—their insights will inspire change in health care," said CEO Pike. The panel of distinguished clinical experts delivered peer-reviewed research on several topics: Underexplored aspects of post-traumatic stress disorder - Dr. Margaret McKinnon Harnessing the mind-body connection in the treatment of chronic pain - Dr. Jaclyn Kukat & Dr. Rhonda Taylor Beyond the label: Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder to help facilitate management in Primary Care - Dr. Naomi Mudachi Cycles of Care: Navigating Mental Health Through Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Beyond - Dr. Lisa Gagnon Mindful Moments: Cultivating Inner Peace in Mental Health - Dr. Tara Riddell Bipolar Disorder in Primary Care: What to Do When Specialty Care Isn't Available - Dr. Zainab Mohamed Spotlight on Mental Health Struggles in Women's Elite Sports Women's rugby athlete and mental health advocate Brianna Martey also delivered an insightful presentation titled "Mental Health Struggles in the High-Performance Athlete." Drawing from lived experience, she courageously shared the complexities of balancing her mental well-being with the rigorous demands of elite sports. Event moderator Dr. Carlos Lalonde, President and Chief of Staff of Homewood Health Centre, reaffirmed Homewood's commitment to transforming lives and expanding its impact through research, partnerships, and education. "Empowering change in our health care system relies on education and enhanced collaborations. Through our shared focus, we can create an unparalleled healing force for patients, families and communities across Canada." The Mental Health Symposium was a free, fully accredited event and certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Ontario Chapter. About Homewood Health With over 140 years of experience, Homewood Health is at the forefront of mental health and well-being, providing Canadians with an unparalleled continuum of care. We achieve outstanding outcomes every day through our national network of over 4,500 employees and clinical experts working in partnership with leading employers, organizations and researchers. Our unique and comprehensive stepped care continuum provides the most complete range of mental health services available nationally – from organizational support & training programs to employee assistance & mental health programs, as well as specialized expertise in assessments, return to work, recovery management and family support – all supported by our medical and mental health expertise in our nationally recognized treatment facilities: Homewood Health Centre, Homewood Ravensview and The Residence at Homewood.
