Last March, I decided to participate in a film festival hosted by the Salt Lake County

Health Department. The theme was “advocate”: what do you feel strongly about that you

would support? I wasn’t sure why, but I couldn’t pinpoint a specific topic then. I spent a few

days digging into the deep depths of my mind, but I had no luck. I hadn’t realized the

answer was lurking before me this whole time.

A week later, I found my hands reaching up to comb through my hair; it was greasy

and tangled like a forest. Piles of papers from various test reviews drowned me in a sea of

constant panic attacks, fear of failing, and an absolute distaste for life. The curtains were

drawn, clothes were scattered, and tears were rolling. I enclosed myself in silence within

walls that seemed to draw closer each coming day. Yet, no matter how much I suffered, I

chose to keep it to myself. This occurrence wasn’t uncommon for me; it just felt easier than

making my family worry.

Two weeks later, I received a text from one of my close friends. That particular text

was sent in a group chat. I immediately dropped what I was doing when I read the first

sentence.

“I can’t do this anymore.” It was unlike this person to share something like this,

especially to several people at once.

“It’s too much, I wish it could all end.” My heart dropped. My brain rushed to find

words of comfort.

Ding, ding, ding……texts flooded the chat. Some of them were of reassurance, and

some of them were confessions.

 “You’re amazing, don’t say that…”

“We’re always here if you need us….”

“I’ve been feeling the same….”

“Life sucks lately, you’re not alone….”

You’re not alone: Those words were what I needed to hear, what many needed to

hear, and what prompted me to create a film advocating for mental health. I realized that so

many individuals, such as teenagers, go to each other for help instead of seeking it from

professionals or their family members. The worry of being judged, being a bother, and

being disregarded prevented many from knowing the light at the end of the tunnel. Anxiety

disorders, depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse are common among

teenagers. Depression in particular is a major struggle and around 40% of youth who

experience severe depression don’t receive/seek any medical treatment for it (O’Donnel).

Why is that? How much stigma have we created to encourage an environment of

suffering alone? How many more souls will we continue to lose because of it? With all of

this in mind, it motivated me to create change. My passion is in film and media. I have been

using my talents to spread awareness on the topic of mental health. I hope that what I

produce will reach those who need to hear the phrase: you’re not alone.
 Works Cited

O'Donnell, Jayne. "Help Eludes Suicidal Teens." USA TODAY, 05/20 2019. ProQuest; SIRS
Issues Researcher,
https://libprox1.slcc.edu/login?url=https://explore.proquest.com/sirsissuesresearc
her/document/2264366037?accountid=28671