Alameda 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 Irvington 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/events/490875048708171/

Region 4 Suicide Prevention Finalists from Alameda County

Second Place: “Building Blocks of Life”
Alameda County
Irvington High School
Filmmakers: Tanisha Deep, Neilesh Deep, and Tulika Sinha
Advisor: Shiloh Burton
Link: https://vimeo.com/519747501

“This film was made keeping in mind certain events that happened to me in high school with a close friend who had started showing the warning signs of suicide, and thus I wanted to do my best to help her”.

Third Place: “Into the Sun”
Alameda County
Irvington High School
Filmmakers: Srishti Deb, Deetya Jain, Helia Manesh, Pranava Karangula, and Anuradha Jaganathan
Advisor: Shiloh Burton
Link: https://vimeo.com/517913748

Region 4 Mental Health Finalists from Alameda County

First Place: “A Stroke of Hope”
Alameda County
Irvington High School
Filmmakers: Jocelyn Liu, Sonya Shetty, and Sohum Saxena
Advisor: Shiloh Burton
Link: https://vimeo.com/517987385

“Our group wanted to portray mental health through one of our shared hobbies: art. We thought it would be a unique idea to express the paintings as one's perspective of the world. Through the film, we wanted to raise awareness and show that there will always be people around to brighten up one's canvas. As we filmed, we started to understand the connection between paintings and people. Sometimes, people want to conceal themselves and their paintings with fear that they won't live up to the high expectations; however, every painting and person deserves to have color and happiness. Last and most importantly, we realized how much of an impact reaching out to people in need can make”.

Third Place (TIED): “The Cycle That Can Be Stopped”
Alameda County
Irvington High School
Filmmaker: Lalitha Kalle
Advisor: Shiloh Burton
Link: https://vimeo.com/516975270

“Something new I learned as a result of making this film is realizing how large of an impact mental health has on our lives. It can affect our thoughts, sleeping habits, the way we interact, and much more. This is very important and is something a lot more people need to be aware of”.

Through the Lens of Culture Finalists from Alameda County

Second Place (TIED): “Legacy”
Alameda County
Irvington High School
Filmmakers: TingYi Wu, Evan Shih, and Colin Zhao
Advisor: Shiloh Burton
Link: https://vimeo.com/518246352

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.