Solving The Youth Mental Health Crisis

Ben B.

• Artist Statement

  My short documentary, Solving the Youth Mental Health Crisis, explores how cultural and technological pressures are fueling a surge in mental illness among teens. The inspiration came after I read Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation and saw how directly it reflected the struggles of my peers. Determined to authentically portray those struggles, I reached out to Dr. Steven Adelsheim at the Stanford Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing, who connected me with professionals across California. I filmed dozens of interviews and collected hours of footage, and, despite editing challenges, created a five-minute story that balanced both crisis and resilience. This work matters to me because it merges advocacy with art. It showed me how film can change the way people see an issue, and it pushed me to grow as both a researcher and storyteller.

• Creative Statement

  Creativity means the freedom to express myself. It's a vital part of my life experience and my personality.