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: 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

Submit to Contest

“The Guide of Life”

John Sutter Middle

Artwork by: Damian Martinez

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

“I Matter”

Clovis East High School

Filmmaker: Theresa-Marie Yuenger

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

Fresno 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.

Honorable Mention Suicide Prevention (Region 4): “Breaking the Silence”
Honorable Mention Suicide Prevention (Region 4): “Finding Hope: A School Community”
Honorable Mention Mental Health (Region 4): “To Reach Out”
Honorable Mention Mental Health (Region 4): “United in Support”

View all 2024 winning films from across California here.

Fresno County Youth Places 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 Fresno County youth.

Third Place Monthly Prompt (Middle School): “Not a Burden, A Gift” by Gurneet Kaur

View the full list of February winners across California here.

Fresno 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 Fresno County youth.

Third Place Monthly Prompt (Middle School): “What I Wish You Knew” by Gurneet Kaur

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

Fresno 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 Fresno County youth.

Second Place Monthly Prompt (Middle School): “Thank You” by Gurneet Kaur

View the full list of October winners across California here.

Fresno 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 Fresno County youth.

First Place September TikTok Challenge: “Find Your Anchor” by Gurneet Kaur

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! The student-created film “Nosotros/We” from Fresno County was screened at a red-carpet award ceremony hosted at the Theatre at Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 16^th. Congratulations to all of the filmmakers!

Statewide Mental Health finalist: “Nosotros/We”
Honorable Mention Through the Lens of Culture: “Dear Lee”
Honorable Mention Through the Lens of Culture: “1^st Generation”
Honorable Mention Walk in Our Shoes – What is Mental Health: “Our Shoes”

Congratulations to the team who created “Nosotros/We” for being recognized as a statewide finalist in the Directing Change Award Ceremony!

Fresno County Schools 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. Riverdale High School and John Sutter Middle School from Fresno County both participated in the event.

For their Spirit Day, Riverdale High School organized a Mental Health Movie night, where they shared mental health resources and screened their Directing Change films. John Sutter Middle School brought together students and staff to create a green ribbon photo and also hosted activities throughout Mental Health Matters Month. 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.

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.