Plot Synopsis

Directed and produced by Alexandra Shiva and Lindsey Megrue, ONE SOUTH: PORTRAIT OF A PSYCH UNIT is a two-part documentary that tells the stories of some of the patients on the One South unit of Northwell's Zucker Hillside Hospital in Queens, New York. A young woman is plagued by crippling anxiety after her GPA drops. A young man struggling with depression is recovering from an overdose. A first-generation college student repeatedly contemplates suicide. They are not alone. One in 10 young adults in the United States is diagnosed with a serious mental illness. Utilizing rare access, this two-parter demystifies the treatment process and offers a compassionate understanding of mental health issues young adults are facing today and how to help them. The series looks behind the locked doors of one of the only inpatient units in the U.S. that specializes in treating college students, and it follows several young patients undergoing treatment for serious mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and personality disorders. Many of the patients have come to One South because of suicide attempts or ideation. The film echoes the trajectory of a hospital admission -- from intake to discharge -- through the ups and downs of treatment, spending time with patients as they attend one-on-one and group therapy sessions, participate in mindfulness activities, and make meaningful connections with their peers. The film also highlights the work of the dedicated medical team, who grapple with the limitations of the U.S. healthcare system as well as concerns about the effectiveness of treatments and the future safety of their patients. Alongside the patients, the film features the psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, and mental health workers of Northwell Zucker Hillside Hospital and the counselors and supervisors of the college program. ONE SOUTH: PORTRAIT OF A PSYCH UNIT debuted on back-to-back nights at 9pm ET/PT on HBO, beginning Tuesday, June 25, 2024:

"Part One" (Tuesday, June 25, 2024 from 9-10:20pm): Young adults in crisis arrive at One South and the doctors and staff rush to evaluate, stabilize, and support them, with the goal of readying them to leave the unit with a practical out-patient treatment plan. The patients have several group therapy sessions and meet one-on-one with doctors daily. While away from the patients, the staff also meet to support each other.

"Part Two" (Wednesday, June 26, 2024 from 9-10:20pm): As treatment progresses, patients form connections with each other and learn coping skills such as distress tolerance and radical acceptance as they gain insight into their own behavior. The staff counsels the patients about what to watch for as they try to reassimilate to life outside. As several patients successfully leave the unit, new patients continue to arrive.