You're Invited: Monthly Family Film Series
Join interactive virtual events that tell the stories of seven characters overcoming mental health challenges and suicide ideation.
These powerful journeys show their paths from negative thoughts to self-compassion and healing.
Register for Events Below!
Join As a Family – Be Inspired by Their Stories
New monthly events from September 2024 to May 2025 will present My Life is Worth Living, stories that teach messages of hope, support, and self-compassion.
Register below to attend these inspiring events that are free, interactive, family-friendly, geared to teens and young adults – And open to every North Dakotan.
Attendance is anonymous. Your information WILL NEVER BE SHARED with your school or district, though you may receive future event invitations from the Cook Center.
Register for the Events Today!
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MEET THE CHARACTERS
Meet Amie
Amie, 16, feels overwhelmed by school, activities, and life’s stressors. Leaning on her support system—her mother, Dr. Owens, and her boyfriend, Nick—she learns the power of human connection in managing stress. Her mother provides a safe space, and Nick offers non-judgmental support. Through these relationships, Amie discovers that sharing struggles eases her burden and strengthens her bonds. Helping others, like her mother, also helps her. With their support, she builds emotional resilience and finds strength in connection.
Meet Dante
Dante, a popular football player, feels trapped between others’ expectations and his passion for art. Overwhelmed, he nearly destroys his work. An unexpected connection with Coach Nelson, who shares his struggles with accepting his son, Scott, gives Dante the courage to embrace his true self. With Scott’s mentorship and his coach’s support, Dante navigates telling his father about quitting football to pursue art, finding strength in living authentically through human connection.
Meet Kyle
Kyle, a 16-year-old, faces intense online bullying and self-doubt, feeling rejected by the school friends he once relied on. Struggling with the pain, he turns to unhealthy substances to escape. After a humiliating incident, he connects with his father, Mario, who shares his own struggles with PTSD and addiction. With his father’s support and the empathy of his friend Jessie, Kyle finds hope and resilience in the relationships that uplift him during his darkest moments.
Meet Danny
After a life-changing accident, 16-year-old Danny struggles with his new reality—his scars, prosthetic arm, and fractured relationships. Feeling broken, he rejects therapy and spirals into anger and frustration. But through the support of Lynn, his occupational therapist, and a safety plan, Danny begins to open up. A game of basketball with his brother Angel helps him feel normal again, and with Lynn’s encouragement, he seeks therapy. As Danny reconnects with family and friends, he learns that his identity isn’t defined by his physical changes. Through these human connections, Danny rebuilds hope and embraces his new normal.
Meet Emily
Emily has been carrying a painful secret, feeling trapped and unsure where to turn. When her mom leaves for the weekend, Emily escapes to her friend Shayla’s house. Though she doesn’t share everything, Shayla and her mom, Carla, offer kindness and a safe space, reminding her she’s not alone. After Carla finds Emily wandering the streets, she encourages her to talk to someone she trusts. Emily opens up, and with support from her mom, therapy, and friends, she starts healing. Through connections with her photography class, she expresses her emotions and rebuilds her confidence, finding strength in the love around her.
Meet Kaia
Kaia fills her days with volleyball and school but constantly battles negative thoughts about her body. Social media and peer pressure amplify her insecurities, making her feel she isn’t enough. When her mother shares her own struggles, they work together on self-kindness. Kaia opens up to Vince, realizing he understands her challenges too. Encouraged by their support, Kaia finds the courage to reassure her teammates and extend kindness to herself. Through these connections, she begins to see her worth beyond appearances, embracing the power of self-acceptance and the support of those around her.
Meet Vince
Vince feels anxious about people looking at him and struggles with negative body image. His brother notices his withdrawal and offers support, helping Vince break his isolation. Kaia, concerned about Vince skipping lunch, learns about his body image issues and suggests they check in with each other. Overhearing his brother Paul discuss ways to support him, Vince opens up to Paul, who offers love and encouragement. Later, when Vince begins to spiral, he chooses to reach out for support instead of scrolling through social media. Through these connections, Vince finds strength and reassurance, overcoming his negative thoughts.
Click here to learn more about Vince’s story.
For any questions about My Life is Worth Living events or the Cook Center for Human Connection,
contact Jenna Trowbridge at [email protected].
