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b'Suicide. Mental Health.

It\\u2019s not a comfortable topic. It\\u2019s not an easy topic. So if you hit stop, I respect that.

But\\u2019s it\\u2019s something we do need to talk about. We are talking about it more.

Programs like Bell Let\\u2019s Talk and series like 13 Reasons Why and other social media campaigns have made it a more open topic. But there is more we can do.

According to an article posted to the Centre for Suicide Prevention, the numbers in Alberta specifically, and although down, are above the the national average. And with current economic factors not in Alberta, but many places around Canada, this is obviously a major concern.

My guest today is Wanda Reinholdt. She is the writer and the director of a short film called Are You Listening?.

Inspired by the Smiles Thru Lindsey Foundation & The Empathy Program, community leaders and young people create conversation, listen and look for solutions to mental illness in youth.


Topics cover include;

The premise.

How did you as a cast and crew deal with this topic?


The positive\\u2019s and the negative\\u2019s of Social Media.

Societal\\u2019s view on mental health and addiction.

The stigma of sllence and the jokes around the topic.

Parents and kids conversation.

The presumption that the strong can\\u2019t be \\u201cweak\\u201d.

Bullying. What\\u2019s being talked about and what\\u2019s not?

Defintion of bullying.

Audience response, filmmakers responsibility, and how do we avoid glorifying this topic?

Smiles thru Lindsey Foundation The Empathy Program

See the film here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7u4tDrVX6bk&t=4s

Follow them:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aylfilm/
Twitter:

https://www.facebook.com/SmilesThruLindsey/

More on The Empathy Program with a story here https://globalnews.ca/news/1917248/alberta-expands-empathy-a-mental-health-support-program-for-youth/


Facebook: Kevin Olenick
Twitter: @kevole
Soundcloud:@kevole
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You Tube:Kevin Olenick'