Tuesday September 11: Dear Diary

We expect that many conversations around suicide have sprouted from your participation in Suicide Prevention Week thus far, and one of the most common questions that comes up is: what kinds of actions should you take if someone you know may be thinking about suicide? There is a lot that a single person can do to help prevent suicide, but the biggest thing you can do when facing the issue with

someone you know is to listen, and make sure to get them help. We have a list of things that you can say, and resources to connect them to here: http://www.directingchangeca.org/wp-content/uploads/2019_DirectingChange_SuicidePreventionFactSheet.pdf, as well as a video that covers how to help a friend in need: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=couOnev9FHc&feature=youtu.be

Highlighted Film: Dear Diary Created by Ashka Patel, Aman Grewel, & Natalie See from Irvington High School, Alameda County

Film Link: https://vimeo.com/267494719 "Dear Diary" showcases a high school student who has just learned the warning signs of

someone who might commit suicide. When he finds the diary of a girl who demonstrates these trigger signs, he is able to reach out and help her.

“While creating this film, I learned not only how big of a problem suicide is, but exactly how an everyday person can prevent it. By teaching others the signs and encouraging use of the suicide hotline, someone's life can be saved.”

Share the Film: Do you know how to help someone who is thinking about suicide? In this film, a boy finds a diary & after reading it, becomes worried the owner may hurt herself. He finds the owner & connects her to the suicide prevention lifeline https://vimeo.com/267494719 #SPWeek #directingchange

About Directing Change: The Directing Change Program & Film Contest is an evaluated youth engagement program. Directing Change engages students and young people throughout California to learn about the topics of suicide prevention and mental health by creating short films that are used to support awareness, education, and advocacy efforts on these topics. Youth apply knowledge about mental health and suicide prevention to create their own unique message about suicide prevention for their peers. Through the creative process of filmmaking young people are engaged via all methods of the learning spectrum: to see, experience, discuss, and apply. These students are recognized for their efforts at a red-carpet award ceremony and their films help impact social change at their schools and in their communities. Directing Change is part of Each Mind Matters: California's Mental Health Movement and statewide efforts to prevent suicide, reduce stigma and discrimination 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), an organization of county governments working to improve mental health outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. The program is implemented by Your Social Marketer, Inc. For more information visit: www.calmhsa.org