By Daniel T. Lukasik

My younger brother passed away two years ago after a lifelong battle with bipolar disorder, a form of mental illness that swings between states of depression and mania. Paul was 58 years old. We loved one another and had much in common, including mental illness. I’ve lived with major depression for over 25 years.

On the first anniversary of his death, still in grief, I tried to write an article about our relationship — its dramatic ups and downs, with periods of alienation and reconciliation. I planned to submit it to The Buffalo News. Sitting at the Starbucks in Williamsville, I couldn’t find the right words. Frustrated and ready to give up, someone tapped on my shoulder. “What are you doing, Dan?” It was Mark Dellas, a well-known and talented photographer whom I had known for many years, who knew about my mental health advocacy. “I’m trying to write this piece, but it isn’t happening.” He paused. “You should meet my son, who lives in New Mexico and is moving back to Buffalo. He’s an independent filmmaker, and you could talk to him about making a short documentary about you and your brother.”

I finally met his son, Mark Anthony Dellas. He listened to my story. “I don’t have the money to pay a professional filmmaker, Mark, but thanks for listening to me.” I thought that was the end of it. But he said, “Dan, I’m a storyteller, and I want to tell this story.” The result, months later, was the 15-minute documentary, My Brother Lost in Time: A Bipolar Life which, against all odds, premiered last October locally on PBS television.

The film portrays a universal theme: the love between brothers over many years. But it’s also relevant to one of the most critical issues of our times: the epidemic of mental illness that haunts our country and community. One in five people live with some form of mental illness in this country, and 220,000 adults in Erie County will develop major depression at some point in their lives. My brother was one of them, and I, struggling to do my best, remain part of this statistic.

My brother died of a fatal overdose two years ago. While fentanyl was the mechanism of his death, I don’t believe it was the cause. Instead, it was from a lifetime of lack of good mental health care, stigma, and his unwillingness to accept his mental illness. Yet, the film’s real message is one of love and hope.

Spectrum Health and Human Service presents a screening of My Brother Lost in Time, sponsored by WKBW, on Tuesday, June 24 at the Aurora Theatre, 673 Main Street, in East Aurora. Doors open at 6pm. A panel discussion with the filmmaker and mental health professionals from Crisis Services and Spectrum Health will follow. Admission is free and reservations are strongly suggested. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/448dzw3b.

Dan Lukasik is a lawyer who serves as the Judicial Wellness Coordinator for the NYS Court of Administration. He is also a professor at UB Law and recently launched the Buffalo Depression Project website.