The Flower Grows Taller is a short film about noticing the signs of suicide, talking openly, and taking action. It follows two friends, one sees the other pulling away and struggling. Through real conversations and emotions, the film shows the importance of asking directly, getting help from a trusted adult, and checking in. It reminds viewers that a simple conversation can make a big difference.
“The Conversation†depicts the internal argument that is had with oneself about whether or not to ask someone if they are okay. The film centers around a Teen listing the warning signs they’ve noticed in their Friend, who is indeed struggling with thoughts of suicide. This conversation is paralleled by that of the Friend, who is reflecting on his own warning signs, wondering why no one notices his cries for help. Dramatic irony is central to the story, with only the audience able to see both perspectives, and to realize how close yet so far the two characters are from connecting with each other and getting help. The film ends by bridging this distance, with the Teen character finally starting a real conversation by asking the question, “are you thinking about suicide?â€
Our film depicts a high schooler who is experiencing mental health struggles and masking it at school. A friend takes notice and reaches out to them.
In this video I interviewed some friends and a school counselor asking them if they knew the signs of suicide, finding out what they knew, and seeing how different people think different things when asked “What are the signs of suicide?”
We sent the wrong version the fÃrst time. Making this film was very heart wrenching for us. There are many people our age that struggle with mental health and don’t know how to seek help. Being able to get the opportunity to spread the word about our film felt very important to us.
It can be easy to identify warning signs in others that are very open with their feelings. It can be challenging to identify warning signs in those that are not verbalizing how they feel. This film is about a student who is bullying others, showing through her actions that she is actually struggling. We often just see the bully, and not that they may in fact be struggling with their own mental health.
Our video focuses on feeling like a burden and not wanting to ask for help when its really needed. We tried to use elements of loneliness and uncertainty this video I chose to do personally as I went through same situations a while back and feeling lonely and like a burden is something nobody should ever go through which is why em and my partner Alex Chau decided to make this video
Birthday Blues is a PSA highlighting a young man’s struggle with suicidal thoughts as he turns 18. It emphasizes the importance of seeking help and reaching out to friends during difficult times
To whom it may concern follows the story of a young adult going through a particularly harrowing bout of loneliness, and feeling as if he is being left behind as everyone starts to move forward with their lives. He starts to give away his most prized belongings, starts to lose track of his room’s cleanliness, and spends his nights alone and feeling in need of a friend. He can be any one of us, and it is up to us to make sure that no one has to feel as alone and unseen as he does.
Our PSA follows a high school cheerleader who is struggling to open up about her mental health. We decided to use a cheerleader as our protagonist, because we understand how, metaphorically, a cheerleader’s experience can actually be relatable to anyone who is experiencing a mental health challenge; we reference how they are often expected to maintain a performative, joyful demeanor, while always being a support system for others. Our protagonist then discovers that she too is allowed to ask for support and