Sponsorship Packet

Program and Film ContestDirecting Change

Program & Film ContestDirecting Change

www.DirectingChangeCA.org

Educating young people about mental health and suicide prevention through the medium of film and promoting social

justice by changing conversations in schools and communities.

Launched as a demonstration initiative in 2012, The Directing Change Program and Film Contest engages students and young people throughout California to learn about the topics of suicide prevention and mental health in an innovative way: a �lm contest.

Our mission is to educate young people ages 14 - 25 about critical health topics through the medium of film and to promote social justice by changing conversations in schools and communities with the goals of:

• Inspiring a new generation to know the warning signs for suicide and how to support a friend.

• Changing conversations about mental health in families, schools and communities and, as a result, increase help-seeking.

• Reaching young people from non-English speaking families, immigrant families, and other cultures to communicate about mental health, wellness, and suicide prevention through the lens of their culture and in their language.

• Giving back by using these films to advocate, change minds and possibly save a life.

The Directing Change Program begins with exposing youth to knowledge about the topics of mental health and suicide prevention by providing instructional tools to educators and educational resources to students. From here, youth apply this knowledge to their own unique message about suicide prevention and mental health for their peers. The creative process of filmmaking requires youth to synthesize their knowledge, resulting in a deeper level of understanding. Directing Change integrates sound pedagogical principles into the filmmaking process so that participants are engaged via all methods of the “learning spectrum”: to see, experience, discuss, and apply. Youth are challenged to critically analyze key components of suicide prevention and how best to communicate these in their films. Once created, these films are used in schools and communities to raise awareness, generating thousands of conversations about these topics in schools, classrooms, among friends and in communities as a starting point to overcome stigma and promote help-seeking.

"My film is inspired by the cultural stigma experienced in the Latino community,

where the saying goes, 'You don't air your dirty laundry'. It is meant to showcase the

real-world experience of asking for help and breaking the cycle related to finding

support around mental health. Mental Health stigma cuts across all cultures and

we hope the message of this film can contribute to the powerful message that

it's ok to ask for help."

-Ana, 9th grade student

Young people turn to their friends for support. The Directing Change Program prepares friends to be there for a friend with mental health needs or suicidal thoughts.

Navigating one’s way through adolescence to adulthood has always been a difficult path, but in today’s society of instant communication through social media, the journey has become even more challenging and presents our youth with societal pressures no previous generation has faced.

Research shows that young people turn to their peers and family for assistance, but fewer than 25% of peers tell an adult about a friend’s problem. Additionally, about 1 in 5 youth experience a mental health challenge, but on average young people wait 6 to 8 years to get help from the first time they experience symptoms. One major reason that prevents young people from getting help is the fear of what others may think, and how this will impact their future.

Changes in gender roles and expectations, issues of conformity and assimilation, pressures to succeed, and feelings of isolation and victimization can all increase the stress levels and vulnerability of individuals. Numerous research studies have demonstrated that young people in crisis who are from non-English speaking families and immigrant cultures are far less likely to seek help from the behavioral health system. These young people must grapple with real and perceived stigma and discrimination rooted in family-based cultural belief systems and in their status as outsiders in the mainstream culture. Compounding the problem, schools throughout California have made drastic cuts to their mental health and guidance counselors, with ratios of nearly 500 students to 1 counselor.

"My participation in the Directing Change program for the past six years has been life changing! Countless students and adults have expressed to me how the process of making these videos has created awareness about the topic of suicide amongst teenagers. The research that takes place for the creation of these videos changes the focus of many from themselves to everyone else around."

- Sarah, Teacher

More than 400 people trained in suicide prevention and mental health messaging and applied training to judge �lms.

3,000 students and guests inspired at annual red carpet award ceremony.

446,727 and counting... number of times �lms have been viewed online.

10,504 youth participants.

200 schools and organizations implemented program.

400 professionals in education, representing 78 di�erent schools and organizations trained on suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention in response to AB 2246 mandate.

7,205 �lms created by youth for youth.

More than 8,140 youth, parents, and community members reached through awareness activities created by youth and educators through mini grant funding to 26 schools.

FY 2012-FY 2019 Outcomes

"We spent a lot of time in my class going over the curriculum from the website and talking about mental illness and suicide prevention. I later learned that one student participant noticed warning signs in a friend and talked to a trusted adult. She said that everything she had learned on her Directing Change project came rushing back to her and she knew what she had to do when something didn't feel right on a phone call with her friend. The friend ended up being rushed to the hospital and received the help she needed. I can honestly say the Directing Change program was the most important and valuable curriculum we studied all year. -Diane, Teacher in Los Angeles County

Red Carpet Event Sponsor$1,000 to $15,000

Each year youth who have decided to use their own voices to direct change are recognized for their achievements at a red carpet award ceremony. Youth winners have the opportunity to network and participate in panels with industry professionals about how to integrate social justice into their current world as youth advocates and in their future careers. The award event allows youth to see their films on the big screen in front of 1,600 young people, parents, mental health professionals, community stakeholders, and politicians.

Event Sponsor Benefits:

• Logo placement on Directing Change website, event signage and online pre-programming

• VIP seats at award event

• Sponsored social media posts and Facebook Live interview opportunity

• Meet and Greet photo opportunity with winning students at award event

• Resources in student goody bags and on event resource table

(Benefits vary by sponsorship level)

"As a parent, I believe this program is a great way to engage youth and have them use their creativity to speak up on important topics. I have never seen

my daughter so excited and engaged in a class before until she came upon this project in her video production class. It was amazing to see

teenagers talk about what a lot of us adults also deal with but are afraid to speak up about. It takes

a lot of courage."

- Nanette, Parent

The 2020 red carpet event ceremony is scheduled for May 19th, 2020 at the historic Theatre at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles.

SAVE THE DATE

Screening & Award CeremonyDirecting Change

Submission Category Producer$5,000 to $75,000

The Directing Change Program offers youth a chance to submit short films that require them to apply suicide prevention or mental health knowledge to formulate and create their own unique message about these topics for their peers. Once created, films are used in schools and communities to raise awareness and start conversations about these critical topics impacting our young people today.

Category Producer Benefits:

• Your logo and paragraph about your organization on the website and all event materials and promotional materials

• Top films in each category will be featured on our website and shared via social media (e.g., “Film of the Month sponsored by ‘Your Company Name’”)

• Your logo on End Slates of all films submitted in a particular category

• Top films remain in our film library for years to come and are seen by thousands of people, featuring your logo

Naming Rights: $5,000

“Best Script” or “Best Original Music” awards can be

sponsored and will be promoted and shared on our website and

on social media.

Walk in Our Shoes Category: $15,000 statewide

This category was created specifically for middle school students, and these films show what it’s like to “walk in the shoes” of someone experiencing a mental health

challenge and encourage compassion and empathy towards their peers.

Animated Category: $15,000 statewide

30-second animated films share warning signs for

suicide and how to support a friend.

SanaMente Category: $15,000 statewide

Films in Spanish encourage Latino youth to join the mental health movement in California.

Through the Lens of Culture: $15,000

statewide

Films explore the topics of suicide prevention and mental health

through the lens of a particular culture and in different languages.

Mental Health Matters: $15,000 per region/ $75,000 statewide

Films tell positive and educational stories that encourage youth to learn about mental health, reach out for support, and fight against

stigma about mental illness.

Suicide Prevention: $15,000 per region/ $75,000 statewide

Films share messages about knowing the warning signs for suicide and what someone can do to prevent suicide, such as reaching out to a friend and

seeking support.

6

86% of youth learned proper response to a friend’s suicide warning signs via program

446,727Number of times �lms have been viewed online since 2012

7,205 Number of �lms submitted by youth since 2012

10,504youth participants since 2012

86% agreed even people who seem successful can be hurting on the inside and thinking about suicide

58% of youth encouraged someone going through a tough time to seek help

Directing Change Box O�ce Returns

NORC at the University of Chicago, Evaluation Report 2017

Mini Grant Sponsorships $5,000 to $125,000

Mini Grants are awarded to eligible schools or organizations to assist them in implementing the Directing Change Program in their classroom. Grantees are provided support from the Directing Change team, which can include meeting with teachers, reviewing storyboards, helping facilitate mental health and suicide prevention lesson plans for students, providing technical assistance to schools to create and implement suicide prevention policies, and providing event toolkits. Mini Grant Sponsorships can be school, city, county, or regional-specific based on your request.

All mini grant sponsorships provide schools with a cash award and event toolkits, cover the cost of staff time to coordinate all mini grant activities, and provide overall support to grantees as they implement the program.

Mini Grant Sponsorship Benefits:

• Sponsorship opportunities range from $5,000 (for one grant) to $75,000 to make a regional impact with 25 grants. Recognitions will be tailored to meet your needs and purpose.

Your support makes a critical difference as we work towards improved mental health and wellness among youth in California!

Walk in Remembrance with Hope Sponsor $250 to $4,500

Each fall, the Directing Change Program partners with Survivors of Suicide Loss San Diego to organize the signature event for suicide prevention and survivors in San Diego - the Walk in Remembrance with Hope. This annual event includes local speakers, live music, a remembrance wall, a dove release, a resource fair, and a fundraising walk through beautiful Balboa Park. The Walk provides more than 1,000 survivors of suicide loss, supporters of suicide prevention, and community stakeholders the chance to connect with local organizations, to share stories about their loved ones, and to raise awareness and funding for suicide prevention efforts in San Diego County.

Event Sponsor Benefits:

• Your name, logo, and a link to your business displayed prominently on Walk website through February 2021

• Logo placement on the large banner on the Walk stage, the back of all Walk T-shirts, the front cover of Walk brochures, and Walk event posters

• Complimentary participant registrations

• Table at the Walk Resource Fair to promote your business and distribute resources

(Benefits vary by sponsorship level)

The funds raised support survivors of suicide loss and support to local schools and youth to implement the Directing Change program.

Walk in Remembran

ce

with Hope

Don't miss this heartwarming event where we remember our loved ones while raising

awareness of mental health and suicide prevention.

• Family and pet friendly • Enjoy music, activities, resources tables and opportunity drawings • Remembrance Activities, Dove Release, Rock Painting, and more

Every dollar raised supports

suicide prevention efforts in

San Diego County

Star

t or jo

in a Walk Team Today.

Balboa Park (6th and Laurel)Check in: 7:00amOpening Ceremony and Dove Release at 8am

Sunday September 13, 2020

Register at: walkinginhopeSD.orgor call: Survivors of Suicide Loss: 619.752.4055

WalkinginHopeSD.org

Walk

in Remembranc

e

with Hope

Celebrate Suicide Prevention Week September 6-12, 2020!

with Hope

Community Research Foundation

SAVE THE DATEWalk in Remembrance with Hope

The 2020 Walk is scheduled for September 13, 2020 at Balboa Park in San Diego.

WalkinginHopeSD.org

Walk

in Remembranc

e

with Hope

2020 Directing Change Program Fundraising Packet-Draft 1

2020 Directing Change Program Fundraising Packet-Draft 1

Your Support Can Change

a Life!

There are a variety of ways that your support can help our youth in California. With our eventual goal of reaching all of our communities in California and beyond, every dollar of support counts and can make a life-saving difference.

Three easy ways to support the Directing Change Program:

1. Donate online at www.directingchangeca.org

2. Write a check to:The Directing Change Program1360 Granada AvenueSan Diego CA 92102

3. Pick a sponsorship opportunity that aligns with your purpose and budget.

We are always happy to talk about the program! Email us at shanti@directingchange.org or give us a call: 858 740 4381.

Directing Change is registered as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Contributions to Directing Change are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Directing Change's tax identification number is 82-2060814

San Diego