Fresno 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: September 30, 2022
Free to participate
Amazon Gift Cards (up to $300)
All art forms accepted (visual art, film, written works, TikTok, original music and more)
September Prompt: Think about what your anchor is when you are going through a tough time. How does it remind you to stay hopeful? Then express it through art, writing, music or film.
TikTok Challenge: Create a TikTok about what you might add to your own Find Your Anchor box. All TikToks that follow the guidelines receive a $20 gift card and enter to win $100 grand prize!
Request a Find Your Anchor box for yourself or your classroom! Send an email with the subject “Directing Change” to findyouranchor@gmail.com.

For more information, view the flyer.
Enter your work here

September Monthly Prompt:
Find Your Anchor

Submission Categories: Hope, Justice, or Monthly Prompt

Submit to Contest

For contest rules, submission category details, entry form
and other information visit the contest page. View art submitted by Fresno County Youth.

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

“Call Me”

Fresno High School

Filmmakers: Mandy Yang, Kimberly Vang, Naveah Hill

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

Mini Grant Applications for the 2022-23 School Year Now Open!

Schools can apply for mini grants to implement the Directing Change program in a classroom on campus or as part of a youth-led club.

Eligible Organizations: Middle schools, high schools, colleges, community organizations, and youth clubs. Participating youth should be in grades 6-12 or ages 12-25. Public, private, and charter schools and districts are all eligible to apply.

Mini Grant Funding: $1,500

Interested? Submit application by Friday, September 16, 2022: directingchangeca.org/2023-directing-change-mini-grant-application/

Fresno County Students Recognized for Health and Suicide Prevention Achievements

The Directing Change Program & Film Contest announced the regional finalists in the 10th annual student contest encouraging young people to create short films and about suicide prevention and mental health. First place finalists advanced to a statewide round of judging and statewide winners were announced at the virtual award ceremony on May 17, 2022.

First Place Suicide Prevention – TIED (Region 4): Fresno High School “Call Me”
First Place Suicide Prevention – TIED (Region 4): Clovis East High School “It’s Okay To Not Be Okay”

View more films