Fresno County
- 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
Submit to Contest
For contest rules, submission category details, entry form
and other information visit the contest page.
- 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
For contest rules, submission category details, entry form and other information visit www.DirectingChangeCA.org
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.
- First Place Mental Health (Region 4): “Nosotros/ We”
- Third Place Mental Health (Tie) (Region 4): “I Matter”
- Honorable Mention Mental Health (Region 4): “Choosing Recovery”
- Third Place Suicide Prevention (Region 4) (Tie): “Just Listen”
- Honorable Mention Suicide Prevention (Region 4): “There’s Always Someone”
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.
- 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”
You are not alone. If you are concerned for a friend or yourself, call the Central Valley Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text TEEN to 839863 (from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. PST) for anonymous support for teenagers provided by Teen Line
