Dear Judge,

We encourage you to seek personal support if you become troubled by the content of this category. If you experience an emotional crisis, there are people available to help you. Please call or text 988 (24/7) to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

The entry you are judging is a 60-second film in the suicide prevention category. Suicide is a complex and sensitive subject which needs to be addressed with compassion and knowledge. This category has special content that must be included and specific content that must be avoided for the safety of and respect for the audience.

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In advance, we appreciate your time.

Title

Your friend, Avery

Grade

12

Description from the submitter

Story: A young girl named Avery, who's been dealing with thoughts of depression for a while, reaches out to her best friend, Charlie, with a letter. When Charlie gets the letter, she decides to go and comfort Avery in her time of sorrow. Our entry demonstrates the importance of having companionship in hard times. It shows how important it is for someone to know when friends, family, or acquaintances are suffering. And it shows that a simple act of comfort can bring hope to someone when it seems like there is none. At the same time, the video also shows that it's okay for someone dealing with depression or suicidal thoughts to let others know that they are suffering. It's okay to ask for help and to realize that you are not alone.

• Know the Signs: Most people show one or more warning signs, so it is important to know the signs and take them seriously especially if a behavior is new or has increased and if it seems related to a painful event, loss, or change.
• Don’t keep suicide a secret: It is ok to break a friend’s trust and share your concerns with an adult if you think your friend might be thinking about harming him or herself.
• Reach out for help: The film should encourage people to ask for help, reach out to a friend they are concerned about, or if a person talks about ending his or her life, to take him or her seriously and connect him or her to help.
• Find the words: Asking someone "Are you thinking about suicide" will not put thoughts of suicide in his or her mind. In face, asking this direct question is important.

2. Does the film do a good job of not oversimplifying the causes for suicide or how to get better?

Note: It is okay to talk about life problems that may increase a person’s risk of suicide such as family issues (divorce, abuse) or social issues (bullying, break ups), and to talk about these life problems as a possible contributing factor to why a young person might be feeling hopeless, drinking more or isolating themselves (which are warning signs for suicide), but the film should not point to just one of these events as the cause of suicide. The truth is that not one of these events “causes” suicide, usually a person is dealing with multiple tough situations and is showing warning signs.

Although picking up someone’s books when they fall is a nice metaphor, it often takes more than “a simple act of kindness” to save a life. Remember that many people don’t know how they should respond to someone who is having thoughts of suicide. Use this opportunity to educate your fellow students and others about what to do, such as talking directly about suicide, seeking help from a trusted adult or calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.