This news story is also available in Spanish.
San Diego County high school students Zahid Perez-Cruz and Savannah Stephens have firsthand experience with how the pandemic, social media and the news have impacted their own mental health as well as that of their peers. They both have used filmmaking to express themselves, and when they heard about the opportunity to participate in a film contest, hosted by the San Diego-based nonprofit Directing Change, they jumped at it.
This film contest engages young people to express their views on topics like suicide prevention and mental health, educating their peers through creative filmmaking. In its twelfth year, the contest boasted 1,315 60-second film submissions from 3,810 youth, representing 209 California schools and community-based organizations.
“Placing youth at the center of their own well-being creates the possibility for real change,” said Jana Sczersputowski, executive director of Youth Creating Change. “The films inspire adults to truly listen. This helps youth feel seen and heard, reach out for help and keep sharing their stories.”
The importance of reaching out to struggling loved ones
Perez-Cruz and Stephens’ film, Reach Out, features TV videos of a young person growing up from baby to teen juxtaposed with audio of friends leaving voicemails. These video snippets are intended to conjure up the sorrow of someone looking back on their life while contemplating suicide. And the voicemails express concern about the subject’s absence and why friends haven’t heard from them. The short film ends with animated messages encouraging the viewer to “reach out,” and provide your friends with support.
“Whether you are the one dealing with contemplating suicide or you’re the friend supporting someone, the video can show you how important it is to reach out to loved ones and make sure they’re OK,” said Perez-Cruz. “A lot of times we love other people, but they don’t know that. If you’re struggling, you need to know that people are there for you.”
The film definitely had an impact on the Directing Change judges, placing placing second in one of the categories of the contest, which was sponsored by Blue Shield of California’s BlueSky youth mental health initiative. Several dozen Blue Shield employees volunteered to judge the five different categories.
Making an impact in the youth mental health epidemic
BlueSky supports community resources to counter the youth mental health epidemic. According to BlueSky's recent Back-to-School Mental Health Survey of Gen Z youth across the country, nearly nine in 10 respondents say they experience mental health challenges on a regular basis, with worries around finding a good job, dealing with negative body image and family relationships topping the list. Sixty-one percent reported they experienced obstacles in getting the professional care they need.
The Directing Change contest leans into one of BlueSky’s tenets of empowering youth to educate and advocate for each other. “It’s one thing for adults to talk to youth about mental health, but this film contest allows youth to engage their peers,” said Antoinette Mayer, Blue Shield of California vice president of Corporate Citizenship. “Through artistic expression, students are talking about mental health challenges and how to cope. This opens doors in classrooms, in communities, and most importantly, in young people’s minds.”
Stephens concurs and believes that there is more opportunity for change in youth talking to other youth, when it’s not about an adult talking down and discounting what young people are saying. “Being there, supporting each other, talking and reaching out is super important,” she said. “I want people to realize just how much their life means.”
Watch "Reach Out," Perez-Cruz and Stephens' award-winning short film.
To watch all of the Directing Change youth films click here.
Youth mental health resources
If you are a teen who just needs a peer to talk to, there’s the Teen Line, a confidential hotline that is open every evening, 6-10 p.m. PT. Volunteers who answer the calls, emails and texts are other teens who have received specialized training. They won’t judge you or give advice — their job is to listen to your feelings and help you to clarify your concerns, define the options available to you, and help you make positive decisions. No problem is too small, too large or too shocking.
- Call: 800-TLC-TEEN (852-8336) from 6-10 p.m. PT
- Text “TEEN” to 839863
- Talk via their app: https://teenlineonline.org/talk-now
- Teen Line also offers message boards, resources and information