That’s Mental
Storytelling. Creative Conversations. Connection.
“That’s Mental” is a series of short films made with young people, for young people about lived and living experiences of mental health. Told in their own words and shown in different visual ways, each film is a unique celebration of resilience, openness and wisdom.
Co-created with young people age 14-17, these stories reflect honest, lived experiences of navigating family mental health. This project harnesses the power of story sharing – to increase awareness, reduce stigma and isolation, and to help others potentially feel seen and heard.
A note about content:
These “That’s Mental” films contain unedited and unfiltered personal perspectives by young people on mental health. This content may raise things for some viewers around their own lived and living experiences. The topics discussed within each film have been identified by the filmmakers themselves, and Satellite Foundation, to help as a guide.
These films are recommended for audiences aged 15+.
What are the six “That’s Mental” films?
ASH
Topics discussed: school disengagement, anxiety, parentification, community, ‘finding the right people’, family, hope, resilience, self-love.
Ash’s film shares her journey of self-compassion and resilience. During her early high school years, Ash faced severe bullying, leading to stress, anxiety, and school disengagement. With her mother’s support, she overcame these challenges. Ash’s story highlights the impact of parental mental health and the importance of recognizing personal strength. She shows how growth and change can happen by learning from her mother’s experiences and changing her perspective.
Conversation Card
Download here
MAYSOUN
Topics discussed: Topics Discussed: disability, ableism, single parent household, immigration, hard life, resilience, being different, self-advocacy, overcoming trouble, community, ‘finding it within yourself.’
For Maysoun, the ice rink is her happy place. Since arriving from Iran as refugees, her family has faced different challenges in their life in Australia. For her brothers and dad, finding work has been difficult and May’s mum experienced significant mental health challenges. For May, who is vision impaired, figure skating has become an important place to feel free, in control and able, understanding her own strength to overcome the myriads of challenges she has faced.
Conversation Card
Download here
SANKARA
Topics discussed: victims of crime, trauma from abuse, stigma, ‘What is advocacy?’, overcoming trouble, turning weaknesses into strengths, change making, youth rights and resilience.
Sankara’s story provides insight into overcoming trauma. Identifying as a victim of crime, Sankara draws strength and self-awareness from his experiences. His film details how he uses his journey and passion towards advocating for better mental health services for young people and their families.
Conversation Card
Download here
ARLO
Contains: strong themes. Topics discussed: family grief, death, loss, regional life, suicide, eldest sibling responsibilities, parentification, single parent household, growth, family connection, healing.
Arlo’s story helps highlight how the experience and shape of grief can look and feel different for everyone. After the death of their father, Arlo turned to art to connect to and express some of the feelings of loss and confusion, and the sense of responsibility of being the oldest in their family. Arlo’s film touches on the strength of the family unit in the face of unpredictable change and how finding small ways to ground yourself is a powerful tool when facing life’s big challenges.
Conversation Card
Download here
COLBY
Topics discussed: positives and negatives of isolation, cultural awareness, stigma and bullying, comfort zone and leaving it, evolving change, sibling mental health, family issues, siblings, music, creativity, ‘finding an outlet’, finding purpose.
Born in Iran but brought up in Australia, Colby’s story sheds light on the complexities that culture, stigma and stereotypes can carry when sharing experiences of mental health, and the challenges young people can experience socially, in an increasingly online world. Through a lens of hope, Colby reminds us that stepping out of your comfort zone isn’t always easy but that if you do you might just find the right connections – within yourself, to others and the world around you.
Conversation Card
Download here
What are the “That’s Mental” creative conversation cards?
These creative conversation cards are a resource to support the way young people engage with this project. The cards are designed to be used alongside the six films. They aim to provide a structured and creative way to facilitate sharing, ignite curiosity and have meaningful conversations.
We strongly encourage creativity as a form of communication and all kinds of different responses to questions are valid. Sometimes, when topics are confronting it can be helpful to respond in less direct or creative ways, like drawing, referring to song lyrics or using imagery.
Instructions
Download the instructions for lead adults here
Download the instructions for young people here
Conversation Cards
Download all the conversation cards, cut them out, and use them individually. Download the complete set here, or download each card individually below its corresponding video.
If you or someone you know needs support, please call:
Kids Helpline (ages 5-25): 1800551800
Lifeline (crisis support and suicide prevention): 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
13Yarn (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line): 13 92 76
In an emergency, please call 000.
