The War Within: Youth Depression
by Educational Video Center
This video presents an honest look into the experiences of black and Latino young people living with depression. Candid interviews of real patients and expert professionals illustrate the struggle these youths face in families and communities often blind to mental health matters.
While mental health awareness is increasing in the general population, in some communities, the acceptance of depression is still a battle. The War Within looks at depression in young people of color, and examines the challenges of living with mental illness in their families and communities.

The video features candid interviews with real young people diagnosed with depression, and follows their stories from the emergence of their symptoms to their present-day treatment. The interviewees recall their most difficult experiences, including hopelessness, self-harm, and suicide attempts, to illustrate the strong grip depression once had on their lives. Though their stories are all different, they share many common themes, including the struggle to find understanding in their families and communities.

The interviews are interspersed with commentary from professional experts, who provide insightful observations about the lack of mental health awareness in the black and Latino communities. They discuss the prevalence of depression and the way it affects people of all races. They explain how racism and social-economic status increases populations' vulnerability which thereby increases their susceptibility to depression. The experts also discuss the difficulty young people of color face in finding support within their families and communities, compounding their already challenging situations.

The young people interviewed offer positive insight to viewers, including the ways they sought help for their depression and the different methods of accessing care. Though their journeys began with incredibly difficult battles with depression, they share the hopeful outcomes which result from seeking support and treatment for depression.
In Depth
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The War Within presents a candid look into the little-discussed experiences of young people of color with depression. This video will break down misconceptions and increase awareness. It can provide people from the black and Latino communities with relatable understanding, and provide professionals the insight to help clients from similar situations. It is an invaluable tool for anyone working with young people or families from black and Latino communities.


From watching this video, you will:
  • Listen to young people of color discuss their depression and how their families and communities view mental health
  • Learn about the most effective treatments for depression and methods for young people to access care
  • Consider the challenges racial and ethnic groups face in accepting mental health diagnoses, and use this understanding to better serve clients

Length of video: 00:26:18

English subtitles available

Group ISBN-10 #: 1-60124-512-2

Group ISBN-13 #: 978-1-60124-512-0

The Educational Video Center is a non-profit youth media organization dedicated to teaching documentary video as a means to develop artistic, critical literacy, and career skills of young people, while nurturing their idealism and commitment to social change.

To be successful in high school, college, and the 21st century world of work, students now need critical media and technology literacy, and the ability to collaborate, problem solve, and explore their imagination. At EVC, youth develop these capacities and learn to harness the power of media so that their voices will be heard widely on social issues that are of vital importance to our civic life.
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