POND Youth Digital Stories

Austin discusses the impact that clinicians’ words can have. They describe their struggles with mental health, of being told they were “attention-seeking by the social worker” and of the detrimental effect this had, leading to her subsequent hospitalization. Austin leaves the viewer with the message that “words stick” and that medical professionals have a responsibility to weigh them carefully.

Why did you want to make this video?

Because I care about mental health and how people are treated. I didn’t want other youth to be treated the same way I was where I was dismissed and I felt that I was silenced. This experience made the whole situation worse and could have been dealt with in a very different way.

What did you learn from making this video?

People can feel the same challenges that I have gone through. I have learned that I am not alone, and that this is something to not be ashamed off, but to realize it is real and deserves help.

What do you want those watching the videos to learn from this video?

I want people to know that even something small can affect someone for a long time. Encounters with healthcare professionals change our lives, and to provide support, healthcare workers need to work with us and not against us to help keep everyone healthy and safe.

Jonathan tells us about the dismal prognosis they were given as a child; not expected to survive beyond the age of 10. Jonathan describes having been anxious, shouting out in class, misunderstood by some teachers and excluded from activities as a non-verbal learner. Later, however, Jonathan was encouraged by a doctor who allowed Jonathan to communicate using Jonathan’s phone rather than talking through Jonathan’s parents, “He was the first person who asked me what I thought I needed”. Jonathan describes feeling “included” and “safe” for the first time. A neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosis and learning skills in self-management led to both academic and social success in high school and university. Jonathan hopes to study Indigenous Law in graduate school.

Why did you want to make this video?

I wanted to make the video because I wanted to raise awareness about my speech difference and was interested in how doctors are ignoring the input of youth with learning differences

What did you learn from making this video?

Something that I learned from the video is the impact that doctors could have if they could just empathize with youth and treat them like actual adults, not children with compassion, and empathy - let children have a voice in conversation involving minority groups like Indigenous people - you cannot tell non-Indigenous people to learn stuff - they have do the painful work of improving the healthcare on their own and only consulting with us when it leads to meaningful change - nothing for us, without us.

What do you want those watching the videos to learn from this video?

I just want healthcare providers to understand that it is not acceptable to pick on patients and treat them like an animal - the healthcare system has zero tolerance for that behaviour now - I want them to be held to a high standard and to ask what they like to be done - have a choice in the treatment instead playing guessing games and forcing to pick random treatments which does not exist.

Joshua tells us of the character “Wormy” who suffers from anxiety and fear of failure. Wormy has not liked his interactions with previous clinicians who use “scientific language” but he values his time with Dr. Heartstein who “speaks slowly and asks about Wormy’s interests”. Dr. Heartstein gains Wormy’s trust through authentically sharing an interest in drawing. Together, in respectful dialogue, they unpick Wormy’s exam anxiety and explore self-help strategies.

Why did you want to make this video?

I wanted to make this video because I wanted to share my experiences with mental health. Mental health is an important issue and more awareness about it is needed. I wanted to share with others how different strategies can help a person who struggles with mental health. Not all strategies will work for everyone but I wanted to share my experiences.

What did you learn from making this video?

What I learned from making this video was that I was able to explain and share my feelings and emotions with others. I learned how to use my art work and integrate with story writing. By using my art designs, I was able to express myself and this also helped me deal with my anxieties. In addition, I also learned from the other videos created by my friends. Sharing these stories helped me understand mental health better as well I made friends who now understood me and my worries.

What do you want those watching the videos to learn from this video?

I hope that when others watch my video they learn that they are not alone and that mental health is important. I hope that the strategies that I shared will help others with their mental health. As well, I hope that watching all the videos will make others including doctors, teachers and families understand the fears and worries that someone with mental health has and how they can help and most importantly listen to them.

Liam describes the intensity of their anxiety and the value they find in sessions with a neurologist who has asked about Liam’s interests “like planes and trains”, explaining that “this makes me feel important and wanted”. Liam describes the enjoyment of these conversations and the impact these have in relieving anxiety: friendly and interested questions such as shoes in which the neurologist asks about Liam’s turtle for example. These warm and simple conversations build trust and assurance of safety.

Why did you want to make this video?

I wanted to share with people for them to know it is like to be being autistic. I wanted them to know what are some of the good days and bad days, and the challenges autistic people can experience.

What did you learn from making this video?

I learned technical skills like how to make a video. But I also learned that I am not alone. I thought that it was only me who had some challenges in life, but I have learned that we all have our challenges, and that is okay. Hanging out with others during the sessions was my favourite part.

What do you want those watching the videos to learn from this video?

I want people to learn not to judge autistic youth when are having a tough time with their mental health. I also want them to learn to respect me like they would everyone else. When we ask for help its not for attention, it is us asking for help and hope that we get listened to.

Lucas describes a conversation with a doctor about suffering from anxiety. Lucas describes appreciating the doctor’s use of an online video game as a metaphor to help explain. Lucas reiterates, “where sometimes the server can completely shut down because there’s too much information coming into the network. And there’s no control and, well, sometimes they crash. You can’t get them back”. Lucas describes a respectful encounter: “He didn’t assume or interpret things about how I was feeling. And during the discussion he wasn’t condescending”. This interaction was the foundation of trust leading Lucas to be receptive to the doctor’s self-help recommendations.

Why did you want to make this video?

I wanted to contribute to the study and help to educate people about some challenges that people with autism experience and to do it in an entertaining way.

What did you learn from making this video?

I don't feel I learned anything but I found the other people’s stories interesting and I don't feel like I'm alone with my problems. I really enjoyed meeting the other people in the story and felt very comfortable with them.

What do you want those watching the videos to learn from this video?

I would like people to listen and understand more about the things that neurodiverse people have to go through and to remember we have feelings like everyone else.

Noah describes an event in which they washed their hands but felt they could not remove the dirt “over and over”. Noah shares this painful journey and acknowledges the support of their family and clinicians. Noah reinforces the need for others to listen without assumptions “because everyone is not wired the same and what works for you may not work for me” and “even if they may understand some of it…they may not be able to hear my voice through only my body language”. Noah vulnerably shares their journey healing, concluding “I can already see that I am not dirty. I am beautifully clean”.

Why did you want to make this video?

I wanted to make this video to help explain my mental health story to physicians, as well as to help other youth with neurodevelopmental disorders to do the same.

What did you learn from making this video?

I learned about the different communication styles the other youth had, their stories and experiences, and different video software techniques.

What do you want those watching the videos to learn from this video?

I want the viewers to learn about communication techniques in a healthcare setting that work, particularly with NDD youth. I want the viewers to realize that there are different ways to engage in important conversations that go above simple oral communication.

Selena describes being moved to many different schools that could not support their needs as a child and suffering with suicidality since the age of 14 with numerous attempts. Selena describes disliking the times in hospital: “I felt like they were experimenting on us to see if they could fix our emotions”. Selena presents us with a plea for dignity and respect: “They should treat us like we’re human beings, not animals. We’re smarter than people think we are”. Selena concludes the film with hope for a brighter and more self-empowered future.

Why did you want to make this video?

To help the doctors and nurses better understand mental health.

What do you want those watching the videos to learn from this video?

I want others to learn how to help the children and adults with mental health problems and to listen to what they are saying and feeling and not to be punished, ignored or not cared about or even listened to and for the nurses doctors, etc, I want them to learn to use skills to help the child rather than give the child a punishment and not to make the child feel not heard or felt like people don't care about them or love them.

WE ARE HUMAN TOO!

Serena describes a traumatic event, of how they kept this incident to themselves and how this led to a downward spiral of mental illness. Serena describes eventually meeting a psychologist who gained Serena’s trust. They describe feeling comfortable and safe as a result of the informal conversation style of the therapist. This has led to the Serena’s engagement in learning self-advocacy skills including “Talking to someone I trust if something ever happened again”.

Why did you want to make this video?

I wanted to make this video to help other people like me and to do it for myself. It is something I would not have done.

What did you learn from making this video?

I learned a lot about other people in my group and I also learned about editing and putting together a movie.

What do you want those watching the videos to learn from this video?

I want other people to know what I went through and that you have to self-advocate and speak up and let people know that there are different ways to communicate. Also, for health care professionals to listen and talk to me not through me and to be patient and kind

Sheldon describes the story of Matthew, a frustrated and angry youth who is driving to a family party with his mother and brother. Matthew is repeatedly told to “let things go”. He tries to tell his mother of his frustration but “His mother replies in a stern tone that she will not be discussing this at the family party since her social worker advised her not to feed into it”. Matthew’s frustration escalates at the party until he smashes a mirror. The story is told as a retrospective from an older Matthew who has learned some self- advocacy and self-help skills and strategies. Sheldon uses this story to express the need for clarity, for listening and dialogue.

Why did you want to make this video?

I have been inspired by films from different time periods. I was an angry kid. I had “teen issues” like my character, ‘Matthew Norman’. He represents my compassionate side. He also represents the mischievous side of me. I wanted to tell about my character through him: what leads to him being him and what can you do to burst free.

What did you learn from making this video?

Everyone has their own issues but when you open up to the right people, like Patrick and Austin, they’ve taught me I’m not alone. I’m not arguing with people who stigmatize me. The filming gave me a sense of humility. I’ve done mischievous things as well, like Matthew. It’s not as clear cut as to say I’m a bad person. It makes me feel amazing to help out with the Autism community. Your Autism isn’t cursed.

What do you want those watching the videos to learn from this video?

I want the audience to see it’s not so black and white with people’s mental health. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. Focus on your strengths. No matter how bad things were in the past you can always redeem yourself.