Report on the Documentary ‘Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost’ and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Case Study in Family Dynamics and Well-being

The documentary ‘Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost’ provides a detailed examination of the lives of comedians Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, as recounted by their son, Ben Stiller. The film explores complex family dynamics, parental challenges, and personal struggles, offering a compelling case study for several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Analysis of SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The documentary places significant emphasis on themes directly related to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The narrative critically examines mental health and substance abuse within the family unit.

• Substance Abuse and Treatment (Target 3.5): The film centers on Anne Meara’s alcoholism and its profound impact on her family. It documents the challenges faced by her husband in addressing the issue and the resentment experienced by her children. Meara’s eventual sobriety, achieved through therapy, underscores the importance of strengthening the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, a key component of Target 3.5. Ben Stiller expresses gratitude that the issue was ultimately addressed, a step not always taken in families experiencing alcoholism.
• Mental Health and Intergenerational Trauma (Target 3.4): The documentary links Meara’s struggles to the trauma of her mother’s suicide when she was 11 years old. This highlights the long-term effects of traumatic events on mental health and the potential for intergenerational transmission of trauma. The film explores how this unresolved trauma contributed to her feeling “overwhelmed” as a parent, directly impacting the well-being of her children and aligning with the goal of promoting mental health.
• Familial Well-being: The narrative details the emotional and psychological effects on Ben and Amy Stiller, who witnessed their mother’s drinking and their father’s avoidance of the issue. Ben Stiller’s reflection on his anger and confusion illustrates the broader impact of an individual’s health struggles on the entire family system, reinforcing the holistic approach to well-being advocated by SDG 3.

Interconnections with Other Sustainable Development Goals

Beyond its primary focus on health, the documentary’s themes intersect with other critical SDGs, demonstrating the interconnected nature of global development targets.

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality: The film touches upon the societal pressures faced by Anne Meara as a working mother in her era. Her expressed feelings of being overwhelmed by the dual pressures of a demanding career and parenthood, and her admissions of perceived shortcomings as a mother, reflect the unequal burdens often placed on women. Her story provides a historical context for the ongoing effort to achieve gender equality and recognize the challenges women face in balancing professional and domestic responsibilities.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: This goal promotes peaceful and inclusive societies, with a focus on strong institutions at all levels, including the family unit. The documentary illustrates how unresolved conflict, substance abuse, and poor communication within a family can create an environment of instability for children. The confusion Amy Stiller experienced between her parents’ comedic skits about conflict and their real-life arguments highlights the importance of creating stable, nurturing environments for child development. By openly discussing these difficult truths, the film contributes to a broader societal dialogue aimed at fostering healthier and more resilient family structures.

Conclusion

The documentary ‘Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost’ serves as a powerful narrative that illustrates the real-world implications of the Sustainable Development Goals. By delving into one family’s experience with alcoholism, mental health, trauma, and the pressures of work-life balance, it provides a poignant report on the critical importance of promoting good health and well-being (SDG 3), advancing gender equality (SDG 5), and fostering peaceful and stable family units as a foundation for society (SDG 16).

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   This is the primary SDG connected to the article. The narrative revolves around health issues, specifically mental health and substance abuse, and their impact on family well-being.

   • Substance Abuse: The central theme is Anne Meara’s alcoholism. The article states, “Ben Stiller is detailing the resentment he held toward his father, Jerry Stiller, over how he handled his mom Anne Meara’s alcoholism.”
   • Mental Health: The article discusses the psychological impact of alcoholism on the family, including Ben Stiller’s resentment and confusion. It also highlights the underlying trauma that contributed to Anne Meara’s struggles, noting her mother “died by suicide when Anne was just 11 years old.”
   • Well-being: The article explores the overall well-being of the family unit, describing how the parents’ issues and fame affected the children’s upbringing and their own adult lives. Ben Stiller reflects on how his childhood affected his own marriage and role as a father.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

   This target is relevant through its focus on promoting mental health and well-being, which is a core issue in the Stiller family’s story.

   • Promotion of Mental Health and Well-being: The article discusses the consequences of unaddressed mental health issues, such as Anne Meara’s trauma from her mother’s suicide. It also highlights the positive outcome of seeking help, as Anne “eventually got sober after working through the death of her own mother in therapy.” This demonstrates the importance of treatment in promoting mental well-being.

2. Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.

   This target is directly addressed as the article’s main focus is on alcoholism and the journey toward treatment and sobriety.

   • Harmful Use of Alcohol: The article explicitly details Anne Meara’s struggles with alcoholism and its negative effects on her family. Ben Stiller notes the difficulty of witnessing his father “avoid their mom’s drinking issues while his kids struggled.”
   • Treatment of Substance Abuse: The article provides a clear example of successful treatment. It mentions that Anne “got sober and really explored that stuff” through therapy, and Ben expresses gratitude that her alcoholism was eventually “dealt with.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator 3.4.2: Suicide mortality rate.

   This indicator is directly referenced in the article as a source of trauma that had long-lasting effects on the family’s mental health.

   • Direct Mention: The article states that Anne Meara’s struggles were compounded by the fact that her own “mother died by suicide when Anne was just 11 years old,” identifying a specific instance of mortality by suicide as a critical event.

2. Indicator 3.5.1: Coverage of treatment interventions (pharmacological, psychosocial and rehabilitation and aftercare services) for substance use disorders.

   The article implies this indicator by discussing the use and positive outcome of psychosocial treatment for alcoholism.

   • Implied Measurement: The narrative describes Anne Meara’s successful treatment. The statement, “Anne eventually got sober after working through the death of her own mother in therapy,” points to the existence and effectiveness of psychosocial interventions (therapy) for substance use disorders. Ben’s gratitude that “she really delved into that” underscores the value of such treatment coverage.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: usmagazine.com