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: May 31, 2023
  • Free to participate
  • May is Mental Health Matters Month and a great time to take action for mental health! Create a film, poem, or art piece about how young people can #takeaction4MH by checking-in with themselves and others, learning more about mental health, and getting support when needed.
  • All submissions should incorporate the lime green ribbon as a symbol of mental health.

For more information, view the monthly prompt page.
Enter your work here

May Monthly Prompt:
Take Action for Mental Health

Submission Categories: Hope, Justice, or Monthly Prompt


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

“Call Me”


Fresno High School

Filmmakers: Mandy Yang, Kimberly Vang, Naveah Hill


News and Awards

Statewide Winners Announced in Annual Directing Change Film Contest

Statewide winners in the Through the Lens of Culture, Hope & Justice, Animated Short and Walk in Our Shoes categories were announced by the Directing Change Program & Film Contest!

  • Honorable Mention Through the Lens of Culture: “Dear Lee
  • Honorable Mention Through the Lens of Culture: “1st Generation
  • Honorable Mention Walk in Our Shoes – What is Mental Health: “Our Shoes


Fresno 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.

View all 2023 winning films here.


Fresno County Youth Place in February Hope & Justice Contest

February’s Hope & Justice contest asked youth to share how they are “More Than One,” reflecting on how they’re living beyond labels, how they find strength when they feel alone, and their hopes for increased representation in the future. Congratulations to the youth from Fresno County who placed in the contest!

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

  • First Place Hope and Justice: “Friends” by Kansas Stewart
  • Honorable Mention Hope and Justice: “The Eye Mountain” by Maliyah Guajardo

View the full list of February winners across California here.  


Fresno County Schools Receive Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Mini Grants

Three schools from Fresno County have been selected to receive a grant through the Directing Change Program for the 2022-2023 school year. Grantees will receive support from the Directing Change team to teach lessons on mental health and suicide prevention and to facilitate the creation of youth-produced short films on these topics. At the end of the year, they will host events to screen their films and share resources around youth mental health and suicide prevention. Congratulations to this year’s grantees!

  • Rio Vista Middle School
  • Riverdale High School
  • Sanger West High School


Fresno County Youth Place in November Hope & Justice Contest

November’s Hope & Justice contest asked youth to reflect on someone who has inspired them, supported them, or used their influence for good. Participants selected a “Mental Health Hero” as their focus, using their chosen artform to highlight someone who helps others see the possibilities within themselves, inspiring them to overcome and do great things with their lives. Congratulations to the youth from Fresno County who placed in the contest!

  • Honorable Mention – Art: “The Guide of Life” by Damian Martinez, John Sutter Middle School

View the full list of November winners here.


Fresno County Students Recognized for Mental 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.

View more films