Published on Show Me Mizzou April 24, 2026
Story by Dale Smith, BJ ’88
They were, as their father remembers, “sparkling children full of hope and talent,” boys who made the future feel expansive and sure. Then, as young adults, both were stricken with schizophrenia. One, a virtuoso musician, died by suicide.
From that experience, Pulitzer Prize winner Ron Powers, BJ ’63, DHL ’12, wrote No One Cares About Crazy People (2017), which is both a memoir and history of mental health care. Now the book has inspired a namesake documentary that tells the stories of Powers and others while also reporting on grassroots efforts to remake the country’s broken mental-health system.
Director Gail Freedman, a former colleague of Powers at CBS News, launched the five-year project after stumbling upon his book. The film packs star power, with narration by actor Bob Odenkirk and music by Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy. After opening in 2025 with screenings and public discussions at venues nationwide, wider distribution and streaming are in the works for spring 2026. For details, visit noonecaresfilm.com.
Powers, who also served as an advisor, is proud of the documentary, even as he describes revisiting the past as “crushingly sad.” Now living in a senior residence in Vermont, Powers, 84, acknowledges not only the grief but also a sense of purpose. His mission is to “spread the word about the reality of serious mental illness” and push for reforms that support patients, families and communities alike.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org for free, confidential support.
View the trailer here.
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