Talking about mental health—especially in a group setting—can be challenging. That’s why every Art Opening Minds Class is built around our short film library.

Using film in our Classes helps create the emotional safety, nuance, and connection needed to have honest, meaningful conversations. Here’s why it works.

1. It’s Safer to Use Someone Else’s Story.

Rather than asking Participants to share their personal experiences, we center our discussion on a protagonist’s story. This gives everyone:

• A shared starting point for discussion
• A layer of emotional distance that helps build safety
• A chance to reflect and connect without pressure to self-disclose
  Especially in mixed groups, new environments, or classrooms where Participants don’t know each other well, responding to a film feels much safer than jumping straight into personal stories.

2. Mental Health Is Complex. Film Can Show That.

Mental health isn’t just about a diagnosis or a list of symptoms. It’s deeply influenced by:

• Identity and culture
• Relationships and community
• Trauma and resilience
• Internal struggles and external pressures
  Short films allow all of these elements to exist together in a single narrative—without oversimplifying. They show nuance, contradiction, and real-life tension in a way no bullet-point slide ever could.

3. The Films Are Short. For a Reason.

Each AOM film is about five minutes long. That means:

• Most of the Class time is spent in reflection and discussion
• There’s space to process: What did that film bring up? How do I relate? What might I do differently now?
• The Class moves at a gentle pace designed to invite participation, not overwhelm
  A short film acts like a spark. It doesn’t take long to ignite meaningful insight.

Examples of the Stories We Use:

Want to know what this looks like in practice? Our film library includes:

• A poem-based film about anxiety that communicates the every day impacts of mental illness
• A story about a first-generation college student navigating pressure and identity
• A quiet portrait of grief and substance use disorder told entirely through music and movement
• A narrative about masculinity, vulnerability, and cultural expectations

These films—and others like them—offer a wide range of styles, identities, and mental health topics. Each is designed to open conversation, not end it.
Browse the Voices With Impact Film Library