“People disregard mental health issues for many reasons, including the fact that they’re not always visible,” said Lily Crane-Newman, one of the participants in a series of short videos, directed by Allura Leggard, meant to shine a light on mental health, commissioned by Organización Latino-Americana of Eastern Long Island.
“We are building programmatic offerings that will help support and activate young leaders from our community,” said Minerva Perez, OLA’s Executive Director.
“Directed and edited by Allura Leggard, 21-year-old African American Sag Harbor local, this is a series of short videos OLA commissioned from her after I saw some of her insightful work,” Perez continued. “We are lucky to have access to such talent and bravery.”
Leggard is currently a senior at Ithaca College. “My experience making the short films was amazing. I loved talking to all the people I made them about. It was hard listening to their stories because it was their own personal stories about their own mental health. However, I was so happy to be able to share their stories through film,” she said.
Featured in her first video in the series was Crane-Newman, a student from England living in Sag Harbor while she readies herself for a return to her education. In the short film, she goes on to describe her panic attacks and how she was “suffering in silence.”
“I had no idea how many other people were suffering in silence alongside me. The stigma around mental health leads people to blame themselves and feel isolated,” said Crane-Newman. “I believe if we all share our stories we can help each other feel less alone, more empowered, less vulnerable, and stronger.”
“We have made sure to include important information in Spanish and English,” said Perez. “This is a video that has been screened by mental health professionals who feel the explicit nature of this video is needed to break stigma and not soft peddle the pain and fear many of our youth are combatting – alone.”
Leggard described how “amazing it is when you capture a person’s story and the story turns out the way you envisioned it would. That’s how I felt once I finished all the edits on the videos.”
“I’m truly overcoming this hurtle,” said Jon Lopez, another student that took part in the series.
“Imposter syndrome took control of my college life as an 18-year-old freshman. At Georgetown University, I felt even more out of place,” he said in the film.
“In my mind, my classmates were valedictorians, winners of multiple scholarly awards, published authors, interns for prominent corporations or political figures. I was just Jon Lopez, a Mexican-American kid from the East End of Long Island,” he recalled.
He went on to explain that he took a leave of absence, stayed home from school, and used soccer as an outlet to keep himself healthy, strong, and at peace. “Exercise is my cathartic relief,” he said.
“Now as a 21-year-old, I feel more determined than ever to obtain my degree and accept my place at Georgetown. I now know that I do belong there,” said Lopez.
OLA is committed to creating better access to mental and emotional health support for all East End youth regardless of ethnic background or language.
“We need adults, parents, schools, law enforcement, etc. to understand what youth is facing – then and now with COVID,” said Perez. “We don’t want to speak for youth, we want to give them the mic and the platform to speak for themselves.”
In the story of Jade Stoute, another participant in the series, she talks about leaving Trinidad for the East End.
“My friends don’t know how it is feeling stuck. This new place will give me time to adjust,” she said in the film. Each film ended on an uplifting and inspiring note.
“I think another reason I was so happy to be apart of this project was because I myself struggle with anxiety and used to have panic attacks when I was in high school,” said Leggard. “Hearing Jon, Jade, and Lily share their stories made me see how strong they all were to be vulnerable with me and share something personal, something that I would never do. They are all such incredible people and I am so happy that Minerva gave me the privilege to work alongside all of them.”
OLA urges that if you or someone you care about are struggling with a mental health crisis or emotional distress, to “talk it out with someone you trust,” like a trusted adult, school social worker, guidance counselor, or your doctor.
Important numbers that OLA has supplied include the Response Crisis Hotline: 631-751-7500, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK or 1-888-628-9454 for Spanish, Conexion: A helpline in Spanish: 631-751-7423, Runaway Hotline: 1-800-RUNAWAY, DASH hotline for mental health and substance abuse: 631-952-3333, or text HOME to 741-741 to connect with a crisis counselor.
If you are unable to find help, OLA is available for referrals to mental health professionals. Call 631-899-3441.
