Suicide prevention films by Modesto, Riverbank teens chosen for state contest
Teen filmmakers at Enochs and Riverbank high schools took home regional honors for 60-second public service announcement videos on suicide prevention.
The Enochs effort, “All You Need Is Words,” took second place and will go on to compete at the state level in the third annual Directing Change Student Film Program. Riverbank High’s “Reach Out” got honorable mention, and “Ball Up” was a Directing Change Team Pick that will also go on to the state contest.
The Enochs film, by students Jaron Hernandez and Paolet Guzman, follows a teen becoming more isolated and withdrawn from the point of view of a friend who talks him into seeing a counselor. The film closes with them both laughing and the narrator saying, “With words, I saved a life.” The film’s adviser was Michael Shroyer.
“This was definitely an amazing experience, and I’m immensely proud that I was able to be a part of something so important since it’s so crucial for people, especially teens, to be aware of this that affects us more than many people in our society even know,” Paolet said.
“I hope my film can educate the youth and save lives,” said Jaron. “I wanted to make it so those who might not fully understand the issue would be able to put themselves in that certain situation, without it seeming too trivial or watered down for the people who are actually impacted by depression or suicidal thoughts.”
The 2014 Enochs entry “Perception,” created by a different crew, took second in the state.
Riverbank High students Ricardo Ballardo and Seth Gutierrez made “Reach Out,” a film in which an increasingly withdrawn student considers a full jar of pills before a friend pulls him aside to see a counselor.
“Ball Up,” by Riverbank students Roberto Serrato and Eduardo Medina, shows a teen who has troubles at home and is failing a class. He shakes a bottle of pills saying, “I should just do it.” But a teammate sees the bottle in his locker and tells a school counselor.
Jon Gianelli was the adviser on both Riverbank High films. Denair Charter Academy also submitted a film, joining 112 high schools that submitted 420 entries to this year’s contest.
The Enochs High and Riverbank High PSAs are among 20 regional winners advancing to a final round of judging at a statewide awards ceremony in Sacramento on May 19. The contest is part of a statewide prevention effort sponsored by Each Mind Matters: California’s Mental Health Movement and the California Mental Health Services Authority.
According to a 2014 RAND survey of elementary through high school principals in California, more than three-quarters cited students’ social, emotional and mental health as a problem at their schools. All participating schools were provided with educational resources and offered a suicide prevention or mental health program for their school through donations from nonprofit organizations.
This story was originally published May 12, 2015 at 3:02 PM with the headline "Suicide prevention films by Modesto, Riverbank teens chosen for state contest."