Stories of Strength and Hope: Preventing Youth Suicide
An up-to-date look at Youth Suicide with an examination of the warning signs, statistics and causes, along with possible ways teachers and parents can use to help their child overcome this important social issue. Also includes a look at the media and its handling of the social issue through the Netflix series "13 Reasons Why" and the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, "Dear Evan Hansen."
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Max HechtmanDirector
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Max HechtmanProducerI Am Here (2016), Pathways to Climate Success (2017)
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John HalliganKey Cast"Himself"THS Investigates: Online Nightmares (2006), Frontline (2008)
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Ryan HalliganKey Cast"Himself (archival footage)"THS Investigates: Online Nightmares (2006), Frontline (2008)
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Meryl CassidyKey Cast"Herself"
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Harold KoplewiczKey Cast"Himself"48 Hours (2017), Iron Knight: Lou Gehrig (2015), American Hercules: Babe Ruth (2015), 60 Minutes (2014), 20/20 (2012), Nickelodeon Special Edition (1991)
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Laura DreyfussKey Cast"Zoe Murphy (archival footage) (uncredited)"After Party (2017), Glee (2015)
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Mike FaistKey Cast"Connor Murphy (archival footage) (uncredited)"Deception (2018), Wildling (2018), Active Adults (2017), I Can I Will I Did (2017)
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Kristolyn LloydKey Cast"Alana Beck (archival footage) (uncredited)"Lie to Me (2011), The Bold and the Beautiful (2010-2013), ER (2009)
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Michael ParkKey Cast"Larry Murphy (archival footage) (uncredited)"Steamboat (2010), Gotham the Series (2009), As the World Turns (1997-2010)
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Will RolandKey Cast"Jared Kleinman (archival footage) (uncredited)"One Penny (2017), Red Oaks (2016), The Mysteries of Laura (2015)
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Jennifer Laura ThompsonKey Cast"Cynthia Murphy (archival footage) (uncredited)"Construction (2015), Person of Interest (2011), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2002)
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Rachel Bay JonesKey Cast"Heidi Hansen (archive footage) (uncredited)"Louie (2015), The Family (2016), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2018)
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Heather ClearyKey Cast"Herself"
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Ben PlattKey Cast"Evan Hansen (archival footage)"Pitch Perfect (2012), Pitch Perfect 2 (2015), Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk (2016), Ricki and the Flash (2015)
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Max HechtmanDirector of Photography
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Max HechtmanEditor
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Max HechtmanCamera OperatorsI Am Here (2016)
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Chris TsalikisCamera Operators
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Briana RistauCamera Operators
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Project Type:Documentary, Short, Student
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Genres:Documentary
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Runtime:11 minutes 47 seconds
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Completion Date:May 16, 2018
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:Yes
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Awareness Film FestivalLos Angeles, CA
United States
October 1, 2018
West Coast Premiere
Official Selection -
NYC Mental Health Film FestivalNew York, NY
United States
October 13, 2018
Official Selection -
Chelsea Film FestivalNew York, NY
United States
October 19, 2018
New York Premiere
Official Selection -
YoungFilmmakers New YorkNew York, NY
United States
November 28, 2018
Official Selection -
Long Island International Film FestivalBellmore, New York
United States
July 13, 2019
Long Island Premiere
Best Documentary
Distribution Information
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Max Hechtman FilmsRights: All Rights
MAX HECHTMAN has been producing, shooting, and editing videos, ever since he was 12 years old. He has borrowed his style of shooting and editing from various movies and utilizes them to present his short film/documentary/event work in the most professional way possible. He is best known for his work as the resident videographer for East Meadow High School from 2013-15, as well as his first short film, "I Am Here," which screened at film festivals throughout 2016.
He currently attends the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) as a Film Major and intends to pursue a career in the video production industry after he graduates, making films (narrative and documentary) and content with relevant and important messages for audiences around the world.
He is currently in post production on "Abigail," his senior thesis film for FIT and hopes to adapt two-three existing Broadway musicals for the big screen in the future.
Youth suicide is an important global mental health issue, especially for college students (my age group ages 14 -24). According to the World Health Organization, in their report, "Preventing Suicide: A global imperative" (September 4, 2014), "suicide-related behaviors affect all ages, nationalities, economic levels, and cultures. Every year around the world more than 800,000 people die by suicide. Globally, suicide is the second leading cause of death in 15- to 20-year-olds." According to the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), which also acknowledges suicide as a global issue, "media reports should include factional information on suicide rates, warning signs of youth suicide and information on hotlines and support services for adolescents and concerned parents."
I felt the best way to raise awareness for this critical global health issue was to make a documentary that would have an impact on young people contemplating suicide, and their friends and family members to help them and discourage their urge to complete suicide, by telling the story from personal, clinical and crisis prevention perspectives.