This Documentary Sheds Light on Stigmas Surrounding Mental Health in the US Fire Service

Directed by Brandon Kapelow and produced by Voyager, 'An Act Of Service' investigates the stigmas surrounding mental health in the conservative, masculine culture of the fire service. Highlighting the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the short film documents an emerging form of treatment: ketamine-assisted psychotherapy.

Following the journey of a firefighter living in the Mountain West, Rob is diagnosed with PTSD after experiencing a series of traumatic events at work. In an attempt to better manage his symptoms, he decides to undergo ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, a relatively new form of treatment that is not yet approved by the FDA. Over the course of several weeks, he works with a psychologist while receiving ketamine infusions to try and address the root of his trauma. Amidst his struggles, Rob grapples with opening up to peers and initiating difficult but necessary conversations while nurturing a closer relationship to his teenage daughter Keylie, as she undergoes her own parallel journey with her mental health.

“The American West grapples with some of the nation’s worst outcomes for behavioural health issues such as substance abuse and suicide,” shares Brandon, reflecting on his upbringing in Wyoming. “I’ve also seen first hand how the West is home to some of the country’s most conservative cultural and political views on psychedelics. In this film, I wanted to address that gap and challenge stereotypes around what a psychedelic user can look like. Through Rob's story, we wanted to foster empathy for individuals facing mental health challenges whose needs aren’t being met by existing therapies." 

“This film is an eye-opening exploration of the job-related trauma and mental health challenges that emergency workers face, and we hope it helps facilitate open conversations about how to deal with those challenges in that community and beyond,” said Christine Kecher, senior commissioning editor for The New York Times Op-Docs. 

Released by The New York Times Op-Docs and now widely available on Vimeo, the film was produced by David Terry Fine, and executive produced by Brandon, Andrew Hutcheson of Voyager and Laurel Thomson. The short film has quickly garnered attention, earning the honour of being selected as a Vimeo Staff Pick, and has also been showcased on Short Of The Week and Directors Library.