Orange County Students Recognized for Mental Health Achievements

The Directing Change Program & Film Contest announced the regional finalists in the 10th annual student contest encouraging young people to create short film and art projects about suicide prevention, mental health, managing through tough times, the impact of the pandemic and heading back to in-person education. Students at Portola High School, El Dorado High School, Canyon High School, Santiago High School, Woodbridge High School, La Quinta High School, Rosary Academy, and Samueli Academy are among the regional and statewide finalists being recognized for their artistic achievements.

The program is part of statewide suicide prevention and mental health efforts funded by county agencies including the Orange County Health Care Agency and administered by the California Mental Health Services Authority. The annual art and film contest goes beyond supporting artistic endeavors to encourage young people to be mindful of their mental health and seek help for themselves and their peers.

“We know that acknowledging feelings and checking in with others are two key steps to improving mental health,” said Dr. Veronica Kelley, Orange County’s Behavioral Health Director. “This annual award event gives youth a safe way to express themselves and share their experience that not only helps the filmmakers but opens up a healthy conversation with their peers and community.”

In a recently released advisory, the Surgeon General cited youth mental health as an urgent public health issue and called on schools and community-based organizations to support the mental health of children and youth in educational settings, providing a continuum of supports to meet the social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs of children and youth.

“Student mental health has been challenged by the pandemic in ways we could not have imagined. We knew it would be tough, but I don’t think anyone anticipated the degree of impact the isolation, stress, and changes had on our students. The Directing Change program provides young people with a powerful platform to share their struggles, victories and insights through art and film. Real transformation happens when students are seen and heard and when we create environments where young people feel supported in reaching out for help,” said Don Collins, Torrey Pines High School Social-Emotional Learning Coordinator, who has been involved with program for the past 10 years.

The pandemic exacerbated many risk factors for suicide and eroded protective factors by isolating children and youth from social and environmental support systems. This increased the need to focus on supporting students through prevention and early intervention efforts. Programs like Directing Change raise mental health awareness and empower youth to have difficult conversations, look for mental health warning signs, and know when and where to get help.

The program has recently captured the attention of researchers at New York University.

“This is a uniquely youth-directed program, in which films are made by youth, for youth. By involving a single student and their advisor, or a single classroom or after-school club, Directing Change has the potential to reduce stigma, open the conversation about suicide, foster youth leadership, and be a catalyst for community-wide change,” said Pamela A. Morris, Ph.D of the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.

“Our youth filmmakers created unique and educational films, expressing the importance of mental health awareness, while remaining hopeful and reminding their peers they are not alone. Youth are experiencing a time unlike any we’ve ever been through, and we are grateful that we create space for them to process and express how they feel, while learning valuable coping and suicide prevention skills,” said Shanti Bond- Martinez, Senior Program Manager.

Students who created a first-place winning film will be recognized at a virtual ceremony featured on Facebook Live on May 17, 2022, at 7 p.m. Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/4iB3XD33p

Region 1 Suicide Prevention Finalists from Orange County

First Place Suicide Prevention: “A Call to Macy” (Advancing to statewide round of judging)
Portola High School
Filmmakers: Grace Shao, Elena Kim, Cecilia Mou, and Shailee Sankhala
Advisor: Ryan Itchon
Link: https://vimeo.com/683907295

“Our film is a powerful representation of being an advocate for the people around you, and how being aware of the warning signs of suicide can save lives.”

Second Place Suicide Prevention: “Suicide Prevention”
Santiago High School
Filmmaker: Fatima Mendez
Advisor: Tina Heiland
Link: https://vimeo.com/683599502

Third Place Suicide Prevention - TIED: “One Call Away”
Woodbridge High School
Filmmakers: Jessica Ramirez, Pauline Nguyen, and Marleen Juarez
Advisor: Megan Humphreys
Link: https://vimeo.com/682961649

Third Place Suicide Prevention - TIED: “Crowd Noises”
La Quinta High School
Filmmakers: Stella Nguyen, An Nguyen, Athena Nguyen, Caterina Nguyen, and Sydney Hoang Dao
Advisor: Amanda LaPera
Link: https://vimeo.com/683640682

Region 1 Mental Health Matters Finalists from Orange County

First Place Mental Health Matters: “Alone” (Advancing to statewide round of judging)
El Dorado High School
Filmmakers: Tahlia Pompel, Samantha Mar, Scarlett Martinez, and Caleb Lim
Advisor: Mark Switzer
Link: https://vimeo.com/683583254

Second Place Mental Health Matters: “The Anxious Mind”
Rosary Academy
Filmmakers: Victoria Faith Gomez, Alyanah Gastinell, and Julia Watson
Advisor: David Lyons
Link: https://vimeo.com/683529876

Animated Short Finalists from Orange County

Fifth Place Animated Short - TIED: “Know Who To Lend A Hand To”
Samueli Academy
Filmmakers: Mariana Juarez, Kimberly Sanchez, and David Maciel
Advisor: Aimee Bilderback
Link: https://vimeo.com/681776222

Hope & Justice – Justice Finalists from Orange County

First Place Hope & Justice: “Heritage Held High” (Recognized at Award Ceremony)
Canyon High School
Filmmaker: Scott Hayashida
Advisor: Alex Graham
Link: https://vimeo.com/684563743

Third Place Hope & Justice - Justice: “Stop Childhood Sexual Abuse”
NAMI
Filmmaker: Emily Reed
Advisor: Steve Pitman
Link: https://vimeo.com/683030678