Boarding on Insanity
A film containing mental health themes will be presented by Goodwill In Action To Prevent Suicide in Totnes Civic Hall.
Boarding School Syndrome refers to a set of psychological issues that can affect individuals who attended boarding schools at a young age, often resulting in difficulties with relationships, emotional expression, and feelings of abandonment. It is not an official diagnosis but rather a term used to describe common experiences and behaviors among boarding school survivors.
Goodwill In Action To Prevent Suicide CIO was founded in 2020 in South West England and is a small charity dedicated to fostering mental health awareness, community resilience, and
compassionate approaches to suicide prevention. The project is proud to host a special screening of “Boarding on Insanity“—a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that explores the hidden emotional cost of the UK boarding school system. The film shines a light on the long-term trauma caused by early separation from family, and how those experiences may shape identity, mental health, and even leadership.
Chukumeka Maxwell, Founder of Goodwill In Action To Prevent Suicide CIO: “This film explores how privilege in education has caused deep wounds, and how reflecting and healing from these experiences can shape a better future for us all.”
Featuring world-renowned voices including Dr Gabor Maté, Joy Schaverien, Suzanne Zeedyk, Nick Duffell, Alex Renton, and Martin Lloyd-Elliott, the documentary asks whether unresolved childhood wounds among global leaders could be influencing today’s crises of war, inequality, and environmental breakdown.
Director Ben Cole says: “Our film is for anyone concerned about why our leaders seem to have so little empathy for those they have pledged to serve. We explore how many of those leaders were traumatised in their childhood and have reacted to that trauma by seeking power; as at boarding school, if you had power you were not bullied.”
Following the screening, audience members will be invited to join facilitated group discussions—a unique opportunity to reflect together on the film’s themes of healing, privilege, social change and next steps.
Boarding on insanity will be shown on Thursday 16 October 2025 6:00 PM – 9:45 PM (screening starts at 7pm)
Book online: Ticket Link Here