By Dawnielle Floyd |Staff Writer|
An opportunity for up and coming filmmakers to make a 60 second film on socially compelling issues of suicide awareness and mental health illness has recently been announced.
The chance is being provided by Directing Change Program and Film Contest, part of Each Mind Matters: California’s Mental Health Movement.
Three categories that are offered for students to submit are suicide awareness, mental health awareness, and through the lens of culture.
Within our society, suicide has appeared to become a scapegoat for many suffering from mental illnesses.
Those who suffer from a mental illness may believe that suicide is their last option.
It is important for people, especially young adults, to educate themselves about this issue and be provided an opportunity to support and promote mental health and wellness.
“I believe that all young adults deserve an opportunity such as this one, no one deserves to go through this experience alone or uneducated and this film contest breaks these barriers,” said student Devon Robinson.
The contest offers a learning objective on mental health and suicide prevention in the submission categories, allowing students the chance to learn more on these topics.
“The students become exceptionally knowledgeable about mental illness and suicide prevention by the end of meeting all of the film requirements because they are applying what they learn to what they are doing,” stated Torrey Don Collins on the official website.
“The mental health movement certainly didn’t start with us, but Each Mind Matters was created to unite all of us who share a vision of improved mental health and equality,” according to Each Mind Matters.
This organization was built to unite the millions of people facing a stigma related to mental health, or their loved ones who may be facing this challenge.
Many people go years before receiving help because they feel alone or isolated.
California’s Mental Health movement, Each Mind Matters, is made up of millions of individuals and thousands of organizations working together to advance the studies on mental health.
Each Mind Matters’ goal is to lift these voices and put an end to this stigma by creating a community where everyone feels comfortable opening up and asking for support.
The program is funded by different counties through Prop 63, the Mental Health Services Act (CalMHSA) and put forth by the California Mental Health services authority.
This organization has created an amazing opportunity that is working to improve mental health issues for young adults, their families, and the community.
For more information about CalMHSA and Prop 63, students can visit their website at www.calmhsa.org or www.eachmindmatters.org.
For more information on the Directing Change film contest and all of the rules, students and parents are encouraged to visit the website at www.directingchange.org.
If students haven’t already submitted a piece, the submissions are due March 1, 2016.
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