Create. Inspire. Make an Impact.
Project AWARE Wildcats is partnering with Youth Creating Change to bring the Directing Change Program and Film Contest to young people at Chinle Unified School District in Chinle, Arizona. The Directing Change Film Contest is for students who want to combine creative expression with making a difference in their communities by creating stories about mental health, suicide prevention, and other topics that matter.
Please remember, you are never a bother and never alone. If you need someone to talk to or are concerned for a friend, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7).
How it Works
STEP 1: Sign up for the Chinle Directing Change Film Contest After School Program
- Weekly Sessions November 4, 2025 to March 12, 2026
- For Junior High Students: Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- For High School Students: Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
STEP 2: Participate in the program’s weekly sessions to:
- Learn about mental health, suicide prevention, and healthy coping skills
- Create storyboards and scripts
- Learn basic filmmaking skills
- Film and edit a 60-second film about these topics
- Enter your film project into the Directing Change film contest
- Be eligible to win cash prizes and trophies, as well as local recognitions
STEP 3: Submit your 60–second film about one of these submission categories:
For High School Students:
- Through the Lens of Culture: Create a film about mental health or suicide prevention from the perspective of a culture or community that you are a part of. What supports or barriers around mental health exist within your community?
- Hope and Justice: The Hope & Justice category centers topics that youth are grappling with in their day-to-day lives – mental health, racism, economic uncertainty, climate change, health disparities. Youth are asked to share how they find hope, ways they cope with tough times and complex feelings, and the changes they hope to see in their communities.
For Middle School Students
- Walk in Our Shoes: For our middle school friends (grades 6-8), submit a film that talks about mental health, empathy, suicide prevention, and more by encouraging young people to walk in someone else’s shoes.
Submit your project to the Youth Creating Change website by March 1, 2026. You can win prizes and recognition. Local recognitions will also be available!
Who Can Participate?
Any student who agrees to participate in the after school programs for Directing Change at Chinle Jr. High School and Chinle High School for the 2025-2026 school year.
*Consistent attendance for the program is recommended.
What are the Prizes?
All projects developed in the after school program are eligible to be entered into the following categories in the Directing Change Film Contest by the submission deadline March 1, 2026: Through the Lens of Culture, Walk in Our Shoes, and Hope & Justice. All films submitted by youth in Chinle will also compete against films from schools and organizations in California for cash prizes and trophies.
In addition, submissions by youth from the Chinle Unified School District will be eligible for local recognitions and additional prizes.
Who is this opportunity funded by?
This PSA contest is part of Project AWARE Wildcats. Funding for this project was made possible by SAMHSA. The views expressed by speakers do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
How will the PSAs be used?
Submitted projects will be featured on social media, on the Youth Creating Change and Project AWARE Wildcats websites, during presentations, and more.
I am looking for suicide prevention and mental health resources.
Here are a few resources to get you started!
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:
Call or text 988
988 Chat
988Lifeline.org
Provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, as well as prevention and crisis resources.
Teen Line:
Call 1-800-852-8336 (from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. PST)
Text TEEN to 839863 (from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. PST)
www.teenline.org
@teenlineonline
Teen Line is a teen to teen hotline where teens can call, text or email about anything they are struggling with. Teen Line is staffed by trained teen listeners who understand what it is like to be a teen. No problem is too small, too large, or too shocking for the Teen Line volunteers.
Crisis Text Line:
Text HOPE to 741-741
Connect with a crisis counselor 24/7 to receive high quality text-based mental health support and crisis intervention.
The Trevor Lifeline:
866-488-7386
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.
