Divorce and its impact continues to be a significant traumatic event in the lives of children. Anger, Anxiety and Depression plague children of divorce. All too often, these families are devastated and broken; left to recapture some semblance of balance. With the painful end of a relationship, and legal battles over support and custody, the first several months or even years promise a rich opportunity for more turmoil.

With the goal to create a tool for understanding and healing, my brother Jeffrey Natalie and his non-profit ErieKIDS has produced In the Middle. This third chapter in the ErieKIDS “Emotional Intelligence” series highlights depression as a result of a difficult divorce. The lead character demonstrates typical depressive symptoms as she endures the impact of the divorce.

In the Middle once again features the Erie KIDS, four young women who happen to be Jeff’s and my nieces. They represent various emotions that children have to cope with. When I asked him why did he use family members (I’ve actually played a recurring role in each of the films), Jeff said,

the three movies were an evolution. The first movie was a simple project with the family to highlight mental wellness. It wasn’t until the community started taking the tools to heart that we realized that we need to make the investment in better production values.

The movie is packed with 5 songs that tell the story in a way kids can connect with and anchor the message of pain that can only be eased by the love of a parent and the care of friends. With this strategy of a high-energy, high-quality movie, Jeff hopes to accomplish the goal “that every elementary school in Erie county would show the film and use the attached curriculum with all their students, not just kids in trouble. It’s a prevention tool not an intervention tool…to educate kids on depression, its’ symptoms and what to do.”

In fact, like all of the ErieKIDS movies, it will be offered to the school districts, Child Care Centers and Social Service Agencies in Erie County at no charge. As a result of the generosity of the Erie Community Foundation, ErieKIDS can provide this useful prevention and educational tool so that every child and school in Erie County can benefit from its message.

The movie will debut, by invitation only, at the Erie County Blasco Library (Hirt Auditorium) on Thursday, November 13, 2008. Two showings will be offered, the first at 1pm and another at 6:30pm. For an invitation or more information, please contact Jeff Natalie at jeff@eriekids.org.