“Seasons of Hope” shows that even when you feel like the world is moving too fast for you to keep up with, you can still find hope. The film is a reminder to slow down and take a breath and encourages mental health understanding and support.
This film explores mental health through the lens of Vietnamese culture, touching on identity, communication, and inter-generational barriers.
“Our film ‘That’s What Friends Are For’ highlights a friend helping another who’s struggling with thoughts of suicide. It emphasizes the power of friendship and taking action when noticing warning signs, aligning with the goal of raising awareness on how to prevent suicide among teens.”
“Our video was created simply to provide hope. A lot of people our age struggle with the multitudes of responsibilities they have and often times feel overwhelmed. Our video also serves to pass the message that no matter where you are, you are not alone.”
“Unsaid is a short film targeting Suicide Prevention. We face the difficulty of fully expressing our true thoughts and emotions during moments where we feel defeated. Many things are left unsaid as we struggle to be honest with ourselves and others. In retrospect, saying what is actually on our minds is the first step in receiving help from others who care about us. Knowing the signs of Suicide is crucial for us to identify in order to reach out.”
“It is a short film about a student/designer who struggles due to him comparing himself to others. He does not think he is good enough or will ever become what he wants to be. He feels alone and lost, and is stubborn to get help. Once he finally does get help, he learns to work with it to achieve what he wants.”
“Hailey is a teenager who struggles with suicidal thoughts. We are introduced to her with her parents arguing in the background, and later showing signs of isolation and giving away her prized possessions to her friend, Sidney. After a long day, Hailey opens up about her feelings to Sidney when she texts to check up on her. Sidney brings up how she tries to think of things around her or in her future that she’d miss as a way of coping with her daily stresses. After reading the message, Hailey realizes that her friend is right and asks if they could seek help together the next day.”
“A black and white world showing people who are depressed and feel sad. Then, they see someone reaching out to them and they take their hand. They are then brought into color and feel welcomed and happy again.”
“Our entry showcases a high school student’s journey of finding hope and inspiration in the film “Coyote Corner” during a class screening. This submission highlights the impact that such films can have on mental health awareness and support, underscoring the importance of seeking help and supporting one another during challenging times. It also serves as a testament to the effectiveness of filmmaking in addressing critical issues and promoting social justice by changing conversations in schools and communities aligning with the mission of Directing Change.”
“My video submission is based on the focus of how mental health may be hard to speak up about for some people. The focus is on what the end result may be for a person who builds up the courage to reach out for assistance against their mental health struggles.”