Earlier this year Grassroots teamed up with accomplished director Martin Percy to make a film about suicide prevention. The film presents an unfolding conversation between two flatmates, Chris and Jason. The viewer is prompted to answer multiple-choice questions about the next steps Jason might take to help his friend. Guidance is offered, and key principles explained, with the aim of increasing the skills and confidence of the viewer in responding to people at risk of suicide, and to provide links to further sources of support.
There are no pointless choices in this film. Every option is based on insights from suicide prevention experts into how to help a person experiencing thoughts of suicide. If you get questions wrong – or lose focus – you will be directed back and asked to try again. But get it right and you will work your way through to the only ending – where you will help to save someone’s life. You can find out more, and watch the film here.
The film has received excellent feedback since its release back in October 2019, and we are thrilled to have been nominated for a Webby Award. The Webby Awards are the leading international award honouring excellence on the internet, and this is a great chance to promote the importance of suicide prevention and reach more people.
To be in with a chance of winning we need your vote! Votes close this Thursday, 7th May 2020, so please support us now by voting today! Vote for Real Talk here!
What to do now? Perhaps share with a friend – discuss how you both did – did you discover anything? Did you see your belief system being challenged? Suicide is something that can affect all of us, but we can all learn the skills needed to have these challenging, potentially life-saving conversations.