Riverside County

Directing Change is an evaluated suicide prevention and mental health program with the mission to educate young people about critical health topics through art and promote social justice and health by changing conversations in schools and communities.
Monthly Art and Film Contest
  • Open to youth ages 12-25
  • Deadline: October 31
  • Free to participate
  • Amazon Gift Cards (up to $300)
  • All art forms accepted (visual art, film, written works, TikTok, original music and more)
  • Use your creativity to show how the election has impacted your mental health and how you’re coping, share information about issues that matter most to you, or explore ways young people can involved in the election to advocate for positive change for our nation and ourselves.
  • Check out the Election Lesson Guide with activities, videos and discussion questions that educators can use to support youth in creating their submissions to this month’s contest.
  • Learn more by visiting the Hope & Justice contest page
  • Get inspired by visiting the Virtual Gallery

October Prompt:
What this Election Means to Me

Submission Categories: Hope, Justice, or Monthly Prompt

Featured Art

“The Changes in Me”

David A Brown Middle School

Artwork by: Jasmin St. Peters Carson

View More Art

Submit to Contest

For contest rules, submission category details, entry form
and other information visit the contest page.

Annual Film Contest
  • Open to Middle, High School and College Students (12-25)
  • Deadline: March 1, 2023
  • Free to participate
  • Cash prizes for youth (up to $1000)
  • Regional winners advance to statewide round of judging
  • Award Ceremony in May

Submission Categories

  • Suicide Prevention
  • Mental Health
  • Through the Lens of Culture
  • Walk in Our Shoes
  • Animated Short
  • Hope and Justice

Featured Film

“New Beginning”

Heritage High School

Filmmaker: Genesis Morales

View More Films

Submit to Annual Film Contest

For contest rules, submission category details, entry form and other information visit www.DirectingChangeCA.org

Events

Riverside County Schools Receive Suicide Prevention
Mini Grants

Five schools and youth-based clubs from Riverside County have been selected to receive a grant through the Directing Change Mini Grant Program this year. Each team will work with youth in their communities to teach lessons on mental health and suicide prevention and support youth as they create short films on these topics. These grantees will also be hosting events at the end of the school year to share the films and raise awareness in their communities around youth mental health and suicide prevention. Congratulations to this year’s grantees!

If at any time you are experiencing an emotional crisis, are thinking about suicide or are concerned about someone call the Riverside County HELPline at (951) 686-HELP (4357) or text HOME to 741-741 to connect with the Crisis Text Line. Both of these are available 24/7.