Orange County

Directing Change is an evaluated suicide prevention and mental health program with the mission to educate young people about critical health topics through art and promote social justice and health by changing conversations in schools and communities.

Monthly Art and Film Contest

Open to youth ages 12-25
Deadline: April 30
Free to participate
Amazon Gift Cards (up to $300)
All art forms accepted (visual art, film, written works, TikTok, original music and more)
Create a poem, video, or other creative piece that shows how you cope when life gets tough. Show us your hacks for dealing with setbacks or keeping hope alive when things look dark.
Decoded is an educational campaign funded by counties and cities throughout California that aims to support young people in their overall well-being both physically and mentally.
Learn more about April and May’s prompts by visiting the Hope & Justice contest page
Get inspired by visiting the Virtual Gallery

April 2024 Monthly Prompt: Decoded

Submission Categories: Hope, Justice, or Monthly Prompt

Featured Art

“Mental Heath Toolbox”

Serrano Intermediate

Artwork by: Oceanne Fabry-Mourer

View More Art

Submit to Contest

For contest rules, submission category details, entry form
and other information visit the contest page.

Annual Film Contest

Open to Middle, High School and College Students (12-25)
Deadline: March 1, 2023
Free to participate

Cash prizes for youth (up to $1000)
Regional winners advance to statewide round of judging
Award Ceremony in May

Submission Categories

Suicide Prevention
Mental Health
Through the Lens of Culture

Walk in Our Shoes
Animated Short
Hope and Justice

Featured Film

“Always There”

Irvine High School

Filmmakers: Bryant Saban, Brianna Ramirez, and Maryam Jalali
Advisor: Elizabeth Keller and Rebeccah Phillips

View More Films

Submit to Annual Film Contest

For contest rules, submission category details, entry form and other information visit www.DirectingChangeCA.org

News and Awards

Orange County Students Recognized for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Achievements

The Directing Change Program & Film Contest announced the regional finalists in the 12th annual student contest encouraging young people to create short films and art projects about suicide prevention and mental health.

First Place Mental Health (Region 1): “Beyond the Surface”
Second Place Mental Health (Region 1): “Seasons of Hope”
Third Place Suicide Prevention (Tie, Region 1): “Through a Different Lens”

In addition to the films above, other fantastic films from Orange County also received awards in various specialty categories, as well as “Honorable Mention” in their respective categories. View all 2024 winning films here.

Orange County Youth Place in February Hope & Justice Contest

The February contest asked youth to create art, films, written works, or audio pieces about how they cope with tough times (Hope), the changes they want to see in their communities (Justice), and reassuring young people that they are never a bother and can share their feelings with others (Monthly Prompt).

Feeling inspired? Check out more Hope and Justice art and film submissions from Orange County youth.

First Place Monthly Prompt (Middle School): “You’re No Annoyance Here” by Nicholas Quarles
Honorable Mention Monthly Prompt (Middle School): “Your Problems May Feel as Big as the Ocean, but I Will Be Your Shore” by Gwen Macros and Ruby Temple
Honorable Mention Monthly Prompt (High School): “Never a Bother Only a Helper” by Alize Galvan

View the full list of February winners across California here.

Orange County Youth Place in December/January Hope & Justice Contest

The December/January contest asked youth to create art, films, written works, or audio pieces about how they cope with tough times (Hope), the changes they want to see in their communities (Justice), and what they wish their parents and other adults knew about youth mental health (Monthly Prompt).

Feeling inspired? Check-out more Hope and Justice art and film submissions from Orange County youth.

First Place Monthly Prompt (Film – High School): “Dear Mom and Dad…” by Tahlia Pompel and Claire Ng

View the full list of December/January winners across California here.

Orange County Youth Place in October Hope & Justice Contest

October’s contest asked youth to create art, films, or written works about how they cope with tough times (Hope), the changes they want to see in their communities (Justice), and the importance of checking in with others, including what a conversation about suicide prevention and mental health can look like in real life (Monthly Prompt).

Feeling inspired? Check-out more Hope and Justice art and film submissions from Orange County youth.

First Place Monthly Prompt (High School) “Coyote Corner” by Aracely Aispuro-Morales and Leilani Chavez
Honorable Mention Monthly Prompt (High School) “Are You Ok?” by Caitlin Oreta
First Place Monthly Prompt (Middle School) “Be the Friend” by Penny Linh and Abbey Xuan Lea Graham
Honorable Mention Hope & Justice: “Hope’s Eternal Glow” by Katelyn Gooneratne

View the full list of October winners across California here.

Orange County Youth Place in September Hope & Justice Contest

September’s contest asked youth to create art, films, or written works about how they cope with tough times (Hope), the changes they want to see in their communities (Justice), and their “anchor” (Monthly Prompt), which could be a hobby or activity, a form of self-care, or any little thing that brings joy, helps them cope, and reminds them about their reason for living.

Feeling inspired? Check-out more Hope and Justice art and film submissions from Orange County youth.

First Place September Hope & Justice – Art: “Maybe if I was . . .” by Abbey Xuan Lea Graham

View the full list of September winners across California here.

Statewide Winners Announced in Annual Directing Change Film Contest

Statewide winners in all categories were announced by the Directing Change Program & Film Contest! Three Riverside county films (“Sensory Overload,” “That’s What Friends Are For,” and “Reaching Out”) were screened at a red-carpet award ceremony hosted at the Theatre at Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 16th. Congratulations to the filmmakers who placed!

Orange County statewide winners:

First Place Suicide Prevention: “That’s What Friends Are For”
Third Place Mental Health: “Sensory Overload”
First Place Walk in Our Shoes – What is Mental Health: “Reaching Out”
Second Place Walk in Our Shoes – Words Matter: “Remember”
Second Place Through the Lens of Culture: “I See You”
Fifth Place Animated Short: “Their Room”

Filmmakers who created “Reaching Out,” “Sensory Overload” and “That’s What Friends Are For” were recognized at the Award Ceremony

Orange County School Participates in Mental Health Spirit Day

Directing Change asked schools and organizations across California to take action for mental health by participating in the second annual Mental Health Spirit Day.

For their Spirit Day, Santiago Charter Middle School hosted a campus-wide event where students wore Take Action for Mental Health wristbands and lime green clothing to spread awareness of mental health. The school also held activities throughout Mental Health Awareness Month, including gratitude journaling, bracelet making, and mental health trivia. Thank you for planning these amazing events! And a big thank you to the Take Action for Mental Health campaign for sponsoring Mental Health Spirit Day.

Orange County Students Recognized for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Achievements

The Directing Change Program & Film Contest announced the regional finalists in the 11th annual student contest encouraging young people to create short films and art projects about suicide prevention and mental health.

First Place Suicide Prevention (Region 1): “That’s What Friends Are For”
First Place Mental Health (Region 1): “Sensory Overload”
Second Place Mental Health (Region 1): “Always There”
Third Place Mental Health (Tie) (Region 1): “Nothing To Be Ashamed Of”

In addition to the films above, numerous other fantastic films from Orange County also received “Honorable Mention” in their respective categories. View all 2023 winning films here.