Everyone has a mental health story.
Talking about it shouldn't be taboo.
Art With Impact (AWI) helps connect young people with
mental health resources so that issues like substance
abuse, self-harm or suicidal thoughts don’t impede
opportunities for future success. Shame, isolation
and fear are some of the biggest barriers keeping
people from seeking support for mental health but art
and media have a unique ability to help us emotionally
explore issues we thought we already understood.
AWI’s early intervention and prevention-focused
programs help young people to question and develop
their own thoughts and feelings around mental health,
allowing them to make informed and effective choices
in support of their well being and emotional health.
#STUDENTS SERVED
# Students Served
6000
4500
3000
1500
0
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
SCHOOLS WE’VE SERVED
M4MH-1x
FWI-1x
M4MH-2x
FWI-2x
M4MH-3x
FWI-3x
M4MH-4x
FWI-4x
OLIVE
OLIVE FILM
COLLECTION
The OLIVE Film Collection features cutting-edge, powerful,
provocative short films on issues related to mental health.
AWI discovers emerging new talent through our monthly
short film competition and provides both financial and
visibility-based support to filmmakers. The films in OLIVE
are available online at artwithimpact.org and are featured
in our high school and college workshops.
FILMS WITH
IMPACT
Films With Impact (FWI) workshops are multi-day
experiences designed for high school students to learn
about mental health and create their own one-minute films
on a mental health topic of their choice. Participating in the
creative process allows students to expand their empathy
and self-compassion around mental health issues and
within that context our educators connect students with
concrete resources available in their own community and
virtually (online, text, phone).
91%
51%
learned something new
about mental health
are more likely to ask for
help as a result of FWI
2015-16
MOVIES FOR
MENTAL HEALTH
Movies for Mental Health (M4MH) workshops are
interactive events where participants watch films from the
OLIVE Film Collection, discuss them, and are connected to
local resources. Hosted by colleges and universities
throughout North America, M4MH workshops build
compassion and demystify the process of seeking support
for mental illness.
99%
learned something
new about mental
illness
93%
said the workshop
reduced stigma
around mental illness
76%
are more likely to ask
for help as the result
of attending M4MH
www.artwithimpact.org
MOVIES FOR MENTAL HEALTH
Movies for Mental Health is a 2-hour workshop on college and university campuses that focuses on empowering young adults,
educators, health professionals and community members to gain a better understanding of mental health within their environment.
Knowing that art speaks the language of our interior worlds, we harness film to engage with young people on the vital topic of mental
health, inspiring and empowering them to tell their own stories and access resources available to them.
STUDENTS SERVED
3,800
in 94 workshops at 40
colleges/universities throughout
the United States and Canada

Mental health issues
affect so many people at
so many levels. No matter
what you're dealing with,
don't be afraid to get
help.”
–WHEATON COLLEGE

Mental health is an issue
pertaining to all of us -the public's responsibility
is to make this issue easy
to talk about and more
resources easily
accessible.”
–SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

CREATING AWARENESS
There is more to mental
illness than the
stereotypes portrayed,
and there are many
resources available.”
–UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA,
RIVERSIDE
REDUCING STIGMA
89%
97%

Just because someone
may look fine on the
outside, they could be
hurting on the inside.”
–CSU BAKERSFIELD
of participants said that the
event created awareness of
mental health issues

An open conversation
about and insight into
mental health.”
- MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE
OF TECHNOLOGY
of participants said that the event
reduced stigma
MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION OUTCOMES
STUDENTS SERVED
3 4
OF
reported an increased likelihood to
seek support for their own
well-being after attending Movies
for Mental Health
Art With Impact collaborates with
local resources at each step of the
organizational process, closely
working with on-campus
organizers, including students in
the film selection and seeking out
panelists who represent accessible
resources. Because students are
personally introduced people who
represent local, accessible
resources and opportunities, the
young people we serve can become
leaders and changemakers in the
way we discuss issues related to
mental health.
WORKSHOP AGENDA
• Lunch or dinner
• Interactive discussion to open direct
and contained conversation about
mental illness, mental wellness,
stigma, and the media’s role in our
perceptions
• Watch and discuss short films from
the OLIVE Film Collection in small
and large groups: explore emotions
and thoughts
• Panel discussion with
representatives from the campus
including students with lived
experience, campus counselors and
representatives from the
county/community
FILM & ARTISTIC ANALYSIS OUTCOMES
• Reduced feelings of isolation, and both personal and public stigma
around mental illness
• Engagement in interactive analyses of the media’s portrayal of
mental illness
• Increased awareness of real experiences of mental illness
• Exposure to techniques used by independent filmmakers to express
truths and change perspectives
• Direct connection with mental health resources available on
campus and in the community
• Increased intent to reach out for help for a mental health issue
if/when necessary (reported by 76% of participants in 2015-16)
• Exploration of cognitive and emotional responses and personal
impact of short films and group discussion
• Experience the power that the arts can have to transform the lives
of the artist, the audience, and communities as a whole
To schedule a workshop, please contact Maya Grodman at [email protected]