Quick look: Six short films created by Orange County students were honored for spotlighting mental health and suicide prevention at the regional Directing Change Film Contest awards, with two advancing to the statewide competition later this month. Through personal storytelling, the films explore the challenges young people face and the importance of mental health support.
In a quiet, close-up shot, El Dorado High School student Zoey Rodriguez opens up to her “therapist,” listing the strategies she’s tried to feel better, from reading self-help books to practicing meditation and breathing exercises.
Her voice carries the weight of frustration and fatigue as her body language conveys a sense of defeat. Then comes the reveal: Zoey is the therapist, too — speaking to herself all along.
With this powerful twist, Zoey’s short film delivers a message that when it comes to mental health, you cannot be your own support system. Sometimes, healing begins by reaching out for help.
On May 7, Zoey’s project, “Therapist,” was one of six films that won awards for depicting the importance of mental health awareness and suicide prevention through the lens of students’ shared experiences. These and other films were celebrated at the regional awards ceremony hosted by the Orange County Health Care Agency as part of the 13th annual Directing Change Film Contest.
Every March, the film competition — led by the nonprofit Youth Creating Change — receives and reviews hundreds of 30- to 60-second films created by students throughout California that center on mental health topics like reducing the stigma of mental illness and how to better cope with obstacles.
While students write, produce and star in these films, OCDE’s Student Advocates for Mental Health program guides them behind the scenes by providing technical support and training to help middle and high school student filmmakers explore mental health topics with care. In addition to supporting film projects each year, the program also offers tools to help students expand their mental health campaigns on campus.
Out of 151 student films submitted by 19 Orange County schools and educational organizations, 112 received support from Student Advocates for Mental Health. Among them were two county finalists — from Los Alamitos and El Dorado high schools — whose films, “To My Younger Self” and “Therapist,” will be screened at the Directing Change awards ceremony on May 22. The event will also determine top honors at the state level.
“What sets our program apart is that youth don’t just hear a presentation about mental health and suicide prevention,” said Jana Sczersputowski, executive director of Youth Creating Change. “They also apply the lessons to the creation of art and film projects. They write scripts, create storyboards and collaborate with peers — all while normalizing important conversations and reducing stigma.”
The Directing Change Program and Film Contest is part of a larger statewide effort to engage youth in mental health education through storytelling and creative expression. The May 22 ceremony held in Los Angeles will honor finalists from across the state and shine a spotlight on mental health awareness.
To learn more about the contest and watch this year’s winning films, head to the Directing Change website.
Here are the Orange County student films that received regional honors:
Mental Health Category
First Place: “To My Younger Self” (Advancing to statewide judging)
Los Alamitos High School
Filmmakers: Kyan Whiten, Christopher Blocher, Jessica Bae, Luke Sanchez
Advisor: Conner Brown
Second Place: “Seeds of Change”
La Quinta High School
Filmmakers: Kayleen O’Connor, Angela Gomez, Sophia Kabir
Advisor: Amanda LaPera
Third Place: “Taking the Wheel”
Canyon High School
Filmmakers: Shaylee Geary, Roxy Milligan, Sabrina Singh
Advisor: Alex Graham
Honorable Mention/Team Pick (Advancing to statewide judging)
“Therapist”
El Dorado High School
Filmmakers: Zoey Rodriguez
Advisor: Mark Switzer
Suicide Prevention Category
Second Place: “Birthday Blues”
Buena Park High School
Filmmakers: Sophia Ortega, Leyna Nguyen, Rafael Castellanos, Alexa Sandoval
Advisor: Shayan Vaziritabar
Walk in Our Shoes — Suicide Prevention Category
Second Place: “Someone Will Always Have Your Back”
Warner Middle School
Filmmakers: Brian Huynh, Hieu Luu
Advisor: Kurt Reisig
If you or someone you know is experiencing depression, anxiety or suicidal ideation, here are a few free resources available to help:
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. 1-800-273-8255 is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline that’s available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. It provides Spanish-speaking counselors, as well as options for deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
- The Crisis Text Line. The Crisis Text Line is the only 24/7, nationwide crisis-intervention text message hotline. Text HOME to 741-741.
- OC WarmLine. Available 24/7, the OC WarmLine is a free and confidential telephone service providing emotional support and resources to Orange County residents. Call 714-991-6412 or visit namioc.org/oc-warmline for more information.
- National Parent Helpline. This hotline provides emotional support and empowerment strategies to strengthen families. Call 1-855-4A PARENT(1-855-427-2736) 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays.
- 2-1-1 OC. This service connects Orange County’s most vulnerable residents with vital health and human service resources. Call 888-600-4357 or visit www.211oc.org.