Author: Jesse Rowe

Recognizing the importance of inclusion of youth perspectives in important conversations about mental health and suicide prevention that are taking place in Los Angeles County, the LASPN YAB was asked to be part of a Roundtable Series with political leaders.  The Roundtable Series launched last spring with a conversation between CA State Senator Anthony Portantino and five youth.   Find the recording here: https://vimeo.com/820993536/adeff277d9?share=copy

The LASPN Youth Advisory Board (LASPN YAB) is an inclusive group of youth who are advocating for improving mental health and well-being and its related social determinants of health for youth countywide. The LASPN YAB is guided by four core values that guide our work to achieve our mission: trust, integrity, leadership and inclusion. Meet our Youth Advisory Board members here.

The end of a year is a time of reflection for many of us, considering how things have been and the chance to think about how things might be.  In an ideal world, the holidays would be a time of the year when we are all a little kinder, helped our fellow humans out a bit more, and took the time to focus on the people in our lives in a meaningful way.

What would it look like if deeper connections with others were the central tradition of the holidays? Fostering connections is one of the most powerful things you can do to promote resilience for yourself, those you care about, and your community.

Check in With Others

Take the time to reach out to someone who may be having a difficult holiday season and have a conversation with them. The conversation does not have to center around mental health. You can start by talking about anything that connects you to that person and be there to listen if they do want to talk about their challenges. Just spending this time sends the message that you care.

It’s also important to remember that although not everyone observes the same holiday traditions, we all want to feel like we belong to a community or group. A sense of belonging can help prevent depression and boost self-esteem and well-being. Inclusive holiday activities can foster a sense of belonging for everyone. Here are some ways to promote more inclusive holidays:

• Try to avoid faith-specific greetings and invitations unless you know the person shares the same beliefs.
• Encourage people attending holiday events to share their own cultural traditions for a fun learning experience.
• Remember that not everyone drinks alcohol or eats the same foods, for personal or faith-based reasons, and try to offer alternatives at holiday gatherings that everyone can enjoy.

Support Your Community

You have probably heard the saying ‘it is better to give than receive’, but did you know studies show being kind to others does you good too?  Helping others is one of the best things we can do to spread holiday cheer. Showing kindness towards others increases the production of the hormone oxytocin (which is associated with feelings of attachment and love) and the neurotransmitter serotonin (which is involved in good sleep and feelings of happiness) and can even give some people more energy and feelings of happiness.

You may not be able to solve the big problems, but offering up what you can alleviate some of the challenges others are facing means more than you might think.

• Every community has organizations that are looking for volunteers. To get started, visit L.A. Works to learn about volunteer opportunities in your area.
• Mutual aid programs have been championed by people from diverse communities to meet each other’s needs. Mutual aid calls for “solidarity not charity” —people helping other people, not for pay or praise, but caring for one another emotionally, physically, and financially. Visit the Mutual Aid Hub to locate programs near you.

Check in With You

While checking in on those around you, remember to check in with yourself as well. Self-care is the gift that keeps on giving, all year long. The term “self-care” has become somewhat misused, but it is really about creating habits that support your long-term wellness and resilience. Changing habits and expectations of ourselves and others takes time and practice, so start with small things. Here are some suggestions:

• Pick self-care strategies that seem fun, not things you think you “should” do. You’re more likely to do things that make you happy, and when you’re happy you’re more likely to do things that make you healthy. It’s a virtuous cycle.
• Try adding wellness habits to something that you already do routinely, like doing a 1-minute meditation after you brush your teeth, or taking a walk around the block after you get out of your car.

There will be days when you may reach your limit. Being gentle with yourself by setting boundaries and limits that support your mental health may be the most important self-care of all. The important thing is not to “keep doing all the things” no matter how you are feeling. Give yourself permission to step back. Learning to say “no thanks” can be a powerful self-care tool. If saying no to social obligations feels too difficult, try scheduling a small break before and after each event for a self-care break.

When to Get Help

If you notice any of the following signs of distress in yourself or someone close to you, they can be an indication that it’s time to reach out for help:

• Feeling sad, hopeless, or helpless
• Becoming anxious, worried, or overwhelmed all the time
• Being unable to focus on work or school
• Acting extremely moody or irritable
• Withdrawing from friends and activities
• Having difficulty coping with daily problems or stress
• Using more alcohol or drugs than usual or more often
• Drastically changing eating or sleeping patterns

If you’re experiencing these, or similar signs, you are not alone. Reach out to trusted friends (Preferably an adult), family, and other supportive people in your life.

If you would like to talk to someone outside of your immediate circle, consider calling the California Peer-Run Warm Line (855-845-7415) for non-emergency emotional support.

If you’re in crisis, or are worried about someone else, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Line is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988 or chat 988Lifeline.org.

May your reflections on this year bring wisdom, awareness of your own strength, and a deepened appreciation for how much we need one another as we look ahead with hope and renewed purpose for 2024.

The Directing Change Program & Film Contest recently announced regional winners and statewide finalists for its 2023 student film competition, in which young people across the state applied their creativity to projects centered on suicide prevention, awareness of mental health resources, destigmatizing mental illness, and strategies for coping through tough times. Through its contests, Directing Change engages youth by providing lesson plans and instructional tools to educators and educational resources to students. Youth apply this knowledge to their own unique message about suicide prevention and mental health by creating films and art. 

Several of the films created by Los Angeles County youth will be screened and recognized at the program’s 11^th Annual Screening and Award Ceremony on May 16^th hosted at the Theatre at the Ace Hotel.  Reserve your free ticket here: https://directingchangeca.org/2023-award-ceremony/

Directing Change was founded on the idea that stories are one of the most powerful tools for elevating conversations around critical health topics, changing norms, challenging harmful perceptions, and inspiring action toward more inclusive communities. The program encourages young people to be courageous and genuine, using their creative talents and artistry not only for self-expression and entertainment, but to make a difference as well.

The way youth participants describe their films highlights some of the vital messages at the center of the contest. For instance, the students behind “Your Friend, Avery” shared that the film “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 [important] to realize that you are not alone.” Meanwhile, the filmmakers who created “Not All Smiles Are Smiles,” wrote that their film “shows how someone can prevent suicide from happening by reaching out to a trusted adult for help, [such as a] therapist or counselor. In [our] video, we focus on the importance of taking someone seriously when they express thoughts of suicide.”

The following films from Los Angeles County all placed in their respective categories. Thank you to the young filmmakers for sharing such powerful messages!

Suicide Prevention

First Place: “Your Friend, Avery”
John F Kennedy High School
Filmmakers: Miles Gardin, Yelena Reyes Mata
Advisor: Aaron Lemos
Link: https://vimeo.com/801108650

Second Place: “I Am Not Alone”
Inglewood High School/ City Honors Academy
Filmmakers: Elizabeth Perez, Lena Barret, Sergio de la Torre,
Advisor: Tadeo Huazo
Link: https://vimeo.com/805411004

Third Place (Tie): “We Are All in This Together”
Valley Oaks Center for Enriched Studies Media Magnet
Filmmaker: Matthew Roque
Advisor: Jamal Speakes
Link: https://vimeo.com/801752273

Third Place (Tie): “We’ve Never Been Closer”
Claremont High School
Filmmakers: Liam Plunier, Louis Nolte
Advisor: Sara Hills
Link: https://vimeo.com/803229120

Mental Health

First Place Mental Health: “Overthinking”
Lloyde High School
Filmmaker: Gabe Martinez
Advisor: Kevin Brown
Link: https://vimeo.com/803274910

Second Place: “Life in Time Lapse”
Claremont High School
Filmmakers: Hannah Swiatek, Sophia Diaz, Linnea Anderson, Lindsey Olivo, Eleanor Myers
Advisor: Sara Hills
Link: https://vimeo.com/802504467

Third Place (Tie): “Sometimes Your Feelings”
Maywood Center for Enriched Studies
Filmmakers: Julissa Hernandez, Amy Chan, Rodselyn Ramirez, Vanessa Guzman, Natalia Lara,
Milenka Melton, Aylin Narvaez, Elvia Barrera
Advisor: James Ng
Link: https://vimeo.com/803615254

Third Place (Tie): “A Wish”
MT. SAC Early College Academy
Filmmakers: Vanessa Ramos, Joshua Fermalino, Isabella Quezada, Giovanna Lopez
Advisor: Rudy Ruiz
Link: https://vimeo.com/803775056

Animated Short

First Place: “Seams”
Claremont High School
Filmmaker: Katie Ray
Advisor: Tamara Kirkpatrick
Link: https://vimeo.com/803735933