One in ten young people have mental health problems, and they often suffer discrimination from other kids. Usually, this is an unintentional but harmful side-effect of kids just trying to be part of the group. So we aimed to make laughing along feel inappropriate, by making teenagers aware that friends with problems aren't social props- they’re people going through tough stuff.

Sam immediately showed empathy towards the subject of mental health, as a relative of his is a sufferer. Mature beyond his years and theatrically trained, Sam had a presence like no one else in casting. This in turn made for an explosive, thought provoking performance that picked people up and brought them down to the cold reality. Working closely with the TTC research team taught us how subtle the Mental Health symptoms can be. Sam had the range to take you on an emotional ride through the majority of these symptoms from start to finish In appearance, he also fitted the bill; he just looks like your average teen. Hopefully that alone with make people think twice before they laugh along.

The magic came from the rest of the class who we didn’t tell about what Sam would be talking about. Their reactions were genuine and awkward at times, Sam would gauge them throughout, then and act on them delivering unexpected turns, some not even scripted. Sam deserves to be recognised for the amount of talent he brought to the project.