Cary McQueen's presentation at the Association of California School Administrators conference on May 6, 2017

1. Creative Projects, Holistic Outcomes
Using short film in the classroom to
promote mental wellness
Cary McQueen
Art With Impact
May 6, 2017

2. Introductions
Why did
you come?
Who's
here
today?
Hi, I’m
Cary

3. Why we’re here

4. Art With Impact
Mission: To promotes mental wellness by creating
space for young people to learn and connect
through art and media.
Interactive
Workshops
OLIVE Short
Film Collection
Strategic
Collaboration

5. Current Climate
• AB 2246 requires suicide prevention and
mental health support for all California
students in grades 7-12
• Our students face live in a world very
unlike the one we grew up in
• Mental health is complex and personal

6. Key Premises
• Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) of
mental illness results in better long-term
outcomes
• PEI support can take many forms
• Internalized stigma is a significant barrier to
support-seeking behavior

7. To Address Internalized Stigma
Our tools must:
• Allow answers to arise from within
• Be relatable
• Demonstrate range and diversity
• Make resources accessible
• Build community

8. Why art works for PEI and Stigma Reduction
Art is inquisitive, non-linear, personal
Leading by art: extends respect and
autonomy for each person to discover their
own path to wellness

9. Why filmmaking is a particularly effective
teaching tool for high school students
• Very different safety levels in the two
environments
• Approach combines MH education
with skills they actually want to learn
• Takes student view points seriously
without exposing individual issues
• Allows for “play”
• Encourages peer-to-peer learning in
a “real world” group learning
experience
Art With Impact’s transition from
college to high school taught us:

10. Films With Impact Workshop Format
Mental Health
Education
Filmmaking
Film
Festival

11. Before the Workshop
• Consultations with the schools
– content review
– scheduling
– teacher / supervisor orientation
• Interest survey – mental health and
filmmaking
• Pre-workshop attitude survey (for
outcomes measurement)

12. Part 1: Mental Health Education
Top 9 Diagnoses for HS students + suicidality
Depression ADD
Anxiety PTSD
OCD Eating Disorders
Bipolar Disorder Schizophrenia
Substance Abuse and Addiction
Suicidality

13. Part 1: Mental Health Education
• Framing the discussion
• Defining terms
• Learning about diagnoses

14. What are some movies that show mental illness?
• The Shining,
• Split
• Manchester by the Sea
• Rain Man
• One Flew over the Cukoo’s Nest
• Forrest Gump
• Mummy
• Shutter Island
• Primal Fear
• A Beautiful Mind,

15. How are people with MI portrayed?
•Weak
•Broken
•Dangerous
•Crazy
•Slow
•Out-of-place
•Unpredictable
•Lost
•Dumb
•Attention-seeking
•Alone

16. How does stigma feel?
• Bad
• Dehumanizing
• Categorized
• Judged
• Disrespected
• Rejected
• Misunderstood
• Discriminated
• Demeaning

17. Why don’t people get help?
• Stubborn
• Fear of judgment
• Can’t admit to themselves
• Sham
• Avoidance
• Embarrased
• Don’t know you have a M.I.
• Pride
• Just don’t want help
• Dishonorable
• Scared it might be worse than you think
• Don’t know how to get help, help unavailable
• Fear of dependency
• Denial
• Don’t want to be labeled
• Think you can do it yourself

18. Learning about Diagnoses
Top 9 Diagnoses for HS students + suicidality
Depression ADD
Anxiety PTSD
OCD Eating Disorders
Bipolar Disorder Schizophrenia
Substance Abuse and Addiction
Suicidality

19. In groups of 3
1. What is something about this diagnosis that you’ve
seen in the media (movies, tv shows, the news, etc.)?
1. What is something about this diagnosis that you’ve
never seen in the media?
1. How do you think living with this diagnosis looks
different or the same across different races, genders,
cultures, sexual orientations, socioeconomic statuses,
or any other identities?

20. What *isn’t* mental illness?
Your Fault
A Lack of Character
Hopeless
Weakness

21. Part 2: Filmmaking

22. YOUR MISSION
Produce (write, film, act in, edit) a
one-minute film
about mental health

23. Roles
• Writer
• Director
• Director of Photography
• Actor
• Editor

24. Techniques for Filmmaking
• Red Herring
• Voice Over
• Flashback or Flashforward
• Foreshadowing
• Image or metaphor
• Mixed media / other art forms

25. Part 3: Film Festival

26. A few films from this academic year
• A Life Unseen
• Alone in a Crowd
• The Truth Behind the Eyes

27. Student Feedback
In 2015/16 academic year:
• 55% of students reported increased intent to seek support
for their well-being
• 77% of students reported that the workshop reduced
stigma related to mental illness
• 90% of students felt that the workshop created awareness
of mental health issues

28. • “That I’m not the only one going through this.”
• “Lots of people have a mental illness.”
• “Details about each mental illness and the difference
between what media portrays vs. what actually is.”
• “That everyone is going through problems and most of the
time you can’t see it.”
• “To help others if you notice anything”
• “There’s a lot of help around everywhere.”
• “Always Seek Support”
• “How it feels to live with a mental illness.”
• “I learned that we must break the stigma as the media
doesn’t portray it all.”
• “The idea of mental wellness.”
We asked: What is the Main Thing You Learned?

29. • “A great learning experience.”
• “An amazing experience”
• “A fun and interactive way of talking about mental health”
• “A way to raise awareness through creative use of
filmmaking”
• “If you wanna be a director, this will help.”
• “An icicle of emotion is thrust into your heart leaving you to
bleed as it shoves knowledge down your throat. And you’ll
enjoy it.”
We asked: How would you describe this to a friend?

30. What did they learn? Outcomes Measurement
• Filmmaking skills / knowledge
• Media Literacy
• Stigma reduction
• Mental health literacy
• Support-seeking indicators

31. Filmmaking
• I can name at least four distinct jobs /
roles that are required to create a new
film.
• I can name at least four distinct
filmmaking techniques that filmmakers use
to tell their stories.

32. Media Literacy
•I know of at least three specific questions I
can ask about a film to try to understand
the filmmaker's motivation and goals in
making their film.
•I know of specific ways that the arts and
creativity can raise awareness around
mental health issues

33. Stigma reduction
• I have an understanding of what it might
be like to live with a mental illness.
• I can explain what stigma is, and how it
relates to mental health.

34. Mental health literacy
• I know how to look for and identify signs
that I or someone else might need mental
health support.
• I can name and describe at least five
different mental health diagnoses.

35. Support-seeking indicators
• I know of at least three specific mental
health resources (or places I can go for
support - in person, online or over the
phone) that are available to me.
• I am likely to reach out for support for my
mental health if / when I need it.

36. Student Outcomes
Lincoln
N=46/58
Trafalgar
N=17/30
Selwyn
N=20/60
I can name at least four distinct jobs / roles that are
required to create a new film
2.86  4.05 =  42%
(P=0.00036)
4.23  4.71 =  11%
(P=0.0282)
4.25  4.7 =  11%
(P=0.0352)
I can name at least four distinct filmmaking techniques
that filmmakers use to tell their stories.
2.27  3.55 =  56%
(P=0.00009)
2.79  4.35 =  56%
(P=0.0000)
2.85  4.35 =  46%
(P=0.0016)
I know of at least three specific questions I can ask
about a film to try to understand the filmmaker's
motivation and goals in making their film.
3  3.73 =  24%
(P=0.029)
3.29  4.35 =  32%
(P=0.0002)
3.25  5.35 =  34%
(P=0.0005)
I know of specific ways that the arts and creativity can
raise awareness around mental health issues.
3.27  3.95 =  21%
(P=0.0091)
3.59  4.71 =  31%
(P=0.0002)
3.5  4.2 =  20%
(P=.0094)
I have an understanding of what it might be like to live
with a mental illness.
2.42  4.05 =  65%
(P=0.000014)
3.76  4.59 =  22%
(P=0.0042)
3.4  3.95 =  16%
(P=.0469)
I can explain what stigma is, and how it relates to
mental health.
1.77  3.18 =  80%
(P=0.000024)
4  4.47=  12%
(P=0.1249)
3.3  4.2 =  27%
(P=0.0218)
I know how to look for and identify signs that I or
someone else might need mental health support.
2.82  3.91 =  39%
(P=0.0004)
3.71  4.18 =  13%
(P=0.1078)
3.7  4.0 =  8%
(P=0.1503)
I can name and describe at least five different mental
health diagnoses.
2.64  4.27 =  62%
(P=0.0000023)
3.76  4.35 =  28%
(P=0.0002)
3.6  4.45 =  24%
(P=0.0023)
I know of at least three specific mental health
resources (or places I can go for support - in person,
online or over the phone) that are available to me.
2.77  4.14=  49%
(P=0.00089)
3.24  4.35 =  34%
(P=0.0015)
3.35  3.9=  16%
(P=0.0928)
I am likely to reach out for support for my mental health
if / when I need it.
3.36  3.73 =  11%
(P=0.067)
3.59  4.12 =  15%
(P=0.0119)
3.35  4.2 =  25%
(P=0.0037)

37. Student Outcomes – Most Change
Lincoln
N=46/58
Trafalgar
N=17/30
Selwyn
N=20/60
I can name at least four distinct jobs / roles that are
required to create a new film
2.86  4.05 =  42%
(P=0.00036)
4.23  4.71 =  11%
(P=0.0282)
4.25  4.7 =  11%
(P=0.0352)
I can name at least four distinct filmmaking techniques
that filmmakers use to tell their stories.
2.27  3.55 =  56%
(P=0.00009)
2.79  4.35 =  56%
(P=0.0000)
2.85  4.35 =  46%
(P=0.0016)
I know of at least three specific questions I can ask
about a film to try to understand the filmmaker's
motivation and goals in making their film.
3  3.73 =  24%
(P=0.029)
3.29  4.35 =  32%
(P=0.0002)
3.25  5.35 =  34%
(P=0.0005)
I know of specific ways that the arts and creativity can
raise awareness around mental health issues.
3.27  3.95 =  21%
(P=0.0091)
3.59  4.71 =  31%
(P=0.0002)
3.5  4.2 =  20%
(P=.0094)
I have an understanding of what it might be like to live
with a mental illness.
2.42  4.05 =  65%
(P=0.000014)
3.76  4.59 =  22%
(P=0.0042)
3.4  3.95 =  16%
(P=.0469)
I can explain what stigma is, and how it relates to
mental health.
1.77  3.18 =  80%
(P=0.000024)
4  4.47=  12%
(P=0.1249)
3.3  4.2 =  27%
(P=0.0218)
I know how to look for and identify signs that I or
someone else might need mental health support.
2.82  3.91 =  39%
(P=0.0004)
3.71  4.18 =  13%
(P=0.1078)
3.7  4.0 =  8%
(P=0.1503)
I can name and describe at least five different mental
health diagnoses.
2.64  4.27 =  62%
(P=0.0000023)
3.76  4.35 =  28%
(P=0.0002)
3.6  4.45 =  24%
(P=0.0023)
I know of at least three specific mental health
resources (or places I can go for support - in person,
online or over the phone) that are available to me.
2.77  4.14=  49%
(P=0.00089)
3.24  4.35 =  34%
(P=0.0015)
3.35  3.9=  16%
(P=0.0928)
I am likely to reach out for support for my mental health
if / when I need it.
3.36  3.73 =  11%
(P=0.067)
3.59  4.12 =  15%
(P=0.0119)
3.35  4.2 =  25%
(P=0.0037)

38. Student Outcomes – Least Change
Lincoln
N=46/58
Trafalgar
N=17/30
Selwyn
N=20/60
I can name at least four distinct jobs / roles that are
required to create a new film
2.86  4.05 =  42%
(P=0.00036)
4.23  4.71 =  11%
(P=0.0282)
4.25  4.7 =  11%
(P=0.0352)
I can name at least four distinct filmmaking techniques
that filmmakers use to tell their stories.
2.27  3.55 =  56%
(P=0.00009)
2.79  4.35 =  56%
(P=0.0000)
2.85  4.35 =  46%
(P=0.0016)
I know of at least three specific questions I can ask
about a film to try to understand the filmmaker's
motivation and goals in making their film.
3  3.73 =  24%
(P=0.029)
3.29  4.35 =  32%
(P=0.0002)
3.25  5.35 =  34%
(P=0.0005)
I know of specific ways that the arts and creativity can
raise awareness around mental health issues.
3.27  3.95 =  21%
(P=0.0091)
3.59  4.71 =  31%
(P=0.0002)
3.5  4.2 =  20%
(P=.0094)
I have an understanding of what it might be like to live
with a mental illness.
2.42  4.05 =  65%
(P=0.000014)
3.76  4.59 =  22%
(P=0.0042)
3.4  3.95 =  16%
(P=.0469)
I can explain what stigma is, and how it relates to
mental health.
1.77  3.18 =  80%
(P=0.000024)
4  4.47=  12%
(P=0.1249)
3.3  4.2 =  27%
(P=0.0218)
I know how to look for and identify signs that I or
someone else might need mental health support.
2.82  3.91 =  39%
(P=0.0004)
3.71  4.18 =  13%
(P=0.1078)
3.7  4.0 =  8%
(P=0.1503)
I can name and describe at least five different mental
health diagnoses.
2.64  4.27 =  62%
(P=0.0000023)
3.76  4.35 =  28%
(P=0.0002)
3.6  4.45 =  24%
(P=0.0023)
I know of at least three specific mental health
resources (or places I can go for support - in person,
online or over the phone) that are available to me.
2.77  4.14=  49%
(P=0.00089)
3.24  4.35 =  34%
(P=0.0015)
3.35  3.9=  16%
(P=0.0928)
I am likely to reach out for support for my mental health
if / when I need it.
3.36  3.73 =  11%
(P=0.067)
3.59  4.12 =  15%
(P=0.0119)
3.35  4.2 =  25%
(P=0.0037)

39. Student Outcomes
• All workshops show increases in
measured outcomes
• Different schools have different areas
where the most and least change happens
• Specific outcomes inform
recommendations for further learning

40. …if we have time… bonus videos
• More Than a Mental Illness
• Tangles
• Mia’s Story

41. Questions?
cary@artwithimpact.org | www.artwithimpact.org