Each film opens on an actor set against a dark, empty space. The monologue begins. They share their feelings and frustrations – expressing their struggles with anxiety, grief and sexuality. Nervous glances. Restless hands. We’re drawn into their emotional world as the film cuts between closeups and wider shots of the actor speaking directly to camera. Finally, the camera pulls back, revealing an almost bare set. The monologue comes to an end and the actor stares into the camera as a super appears: ‘This was a call from a 10-year-old’.

The film comes to an end as the closing line and call to action animate against a black screen:

Anxiety isn’t just for grown-ups.

Find out why at KidsHelpPhone.ca

Compared to other developed countries, Canada ranks poorly when it comes to youth mental health. Even before COVID-19, one in five young people in Canada had at least one mental health disorder. Data shows that compared to 2008-2009, there was a 60% increase in the number of hospitalizations for mental health conditions in 2018-2019. For years, our youth suicide rate has been the third highest in the industrialized world. The mental health crisis is more severe for Black and Indigenous youth; Indigenous youth in Canada are at least six times more likely to die by suicide compared to their non-Indigenous peers, while Black youth are twice as likely to die by suicide. The truth is, poor mental health is the second biggest threat to a young person’s life in Canada.