Butte County Students Recognized for Mental Health Achievements

The Directing Change Program & Film Contest announced the regional finalists in the ninth annual student contest encouraging young people to create short films and art projects about suicide prevention and mental health. Students at Pleasant Valley High School and Whitney High School are among the regional finalists being recognized for artistic achievements in mental health and suicide prevention.

The contest is part of statewide suicide prevention and mental health efforts administered by the California Mental Health Services Authority. The program’s newest category “Hope and Justice” encourages young people to express how the cope during tough times and find the hope to continue moving forward.

“As our youth lived through one historic event after another this year, we saw mental health levels decline in the midst of global health and social events. Directing Change supported youth with learning resources focused on healthy coping and self-care, and by providing an outlet for creative expression,” said Shanti Bond Martinez, Senior Program Manager.

Bond Martinez continued: “Our youth filmmakers created inspiring, educational films helped them to stay hopeful and reminded their peers they are not alone. Their determination to create despite all they endured shows how truly resilient they are. This flexibility and strength will no doubt benefit them as they manage through grief, loss, uncertainty and the transition to a changed post-pandemic world.”

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 these young individuals 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.

Research shows that the program is making a positive impact. A study conducted by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago found that participants had higher awareness levels of suicide warning signs and where to find help compared with non-participants. The study concluded that Directing Change is effective at increasing knowledge and skills as well as changing attitudes and behaviors related to mental illness and suicide prevention. Furthermore, teachers at participating high schools reported a positive impact on school climate and an increase in student’s willingness to talk about important health topics.

Students statewide submitted 974 film entries created by 1,817 youth from 136 schools and community-based organizations representing 23 counties and Tri-city. Winners will be announced at a virtual ceremony on Facebook Live on May 18 at 7 p.m. (https://www.facebook.com/DirectingChangeCA/)

Region 5 Suicide Prevention Finalists from Butte County

Second Place: “Suicides Shadow”
Butte County
Pleasant Valley High School
Filmmakers: Finn and Benjamin Burke
Advisor: Michael Peck
Link: https://vimeo.com/519743191

“This film is about the looming effects of suicidal thoughts on everyday life, represented as a shadow. We chose this category because of the personal experience with myself and close friends who have struggled with suicidal thoughts.

Third Place (TIED): “There’s Always Someone There”
Butte County
Pleasant Valley High School
Filmmakers: Caleb Rawlin and Riley Sullivan
Advisor: Michael Peck
Link: https://vimeo.com/518294862

“We hope our video can go a long way in changing or at least helping someone's life. Sometimes seeing other people's situations can help, knowing you are not alone.”

“Calling a Bluff” (Team Pick, Advancing to statewide round of judging)
Butte County
Pleasant Valley High School
Filmmaker: Gray Osgood
Advisor: Michael Peck
Link: https://vimeo.com/518295625

“I chose the suicide prevention category as a way to create a message to prevent people from even thinking about risking it all, their life. This category provided a platform for me to create a video that emphasizes the concept of how people adapt to the life they were born into. My video is about the game of poker, and how whatever hand your dealt may change how you approach the game. The main character, Bucky Smith, wasn't dealt the best hand in life, and it's up to him to decide how he plays his cards. Every shot in the video has meaning, and I hope this video helps as many people as possible.”

Region 5 Mental Health Finalists from Butte County

First Place: “No Need to Wait” (Advancing to statewide round of judging)
Butte County
Pleasant Valley High School
Filmmakers: Hazel Merrell and Benicio Duenas
Advisor: Michael Peck
Link: https://vimeo.com/518247510

“We chose this category to inspire our peers to reach out for support for their mental health. Before doing research for this film, we did not realize how long it took our peers (on average) to reach out for support and we wanted to help change that”.

Third Place: “The Mask We Wear”
Butte County
Pleasant Valley High School
Filmmakers: Kohl Curiel and Norvin Garcia
Advisor: Michael Peck
Link: https://vimeo.com/518249730

“COVID-19 has affected an unmeasurable amount of people in regards to mental health. This extends to the both of us, as we have had our fair share of obstacles to overcome with mental health. We chose this category in an effort to highlight a common issue associated with mental health issues: hiding emotions. Often individuals dealing with problematic mental health issues do not get the help they need until it is too late. The portrayal of the mask is used to symbolize faking emotions in order to fit in with the status quo, while hiding their true self. This could cause irreversible mental health problems, and it is important that those dealing with these issues surround themselves with supportive friends and family that are willing to help and listen”.

About Directing Change

Directing Change launched in 2012 and is a suicide prevention and mental health promotion program that draws on developmental and educational theory in its approach. By following the program’s submission guidelines to create short (30 and 60-second) films or art projects, students learn about suicide prevention, mental health and other social justice and critical health topics; discuss and apply that knowledge in peer groups; and communicate positive, youth-focused, action-oriented messages to peers and adults in their communicates. The program is free to schools and supported by the California Department of Education. Directing Change is part of statewide efforts to prevent suicide, reduce stigma and discrimination to related to mental illness, and to promote the mental health and wellness of students. These initiatives are funded by counties through the Mental Health Services Act (Prop 63) and administered by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), and organization of county governments working to improve mental health outcomes for individuals, families and communities. For more information visit www.DirectingChangeCA.org.