Wake Up: Stories from the Frontlines of Suicide Prevention (2020)

After losing a close friend to suicide, a group of college students from the University of Missouri was determined to enact positive change. They quickly formed a nonprofit, Wake Up, premised on spreading awareness: their educational initiatives were designed to encourage a massive cultural shift away from social stigmas surrounding mental illness, depression, and suicide. Wake Up: Stories from the Frontlines of Suicide Prevention emerged from this collective movement. The film sheds light on four different groups with varied stories to tell about suicide-American veterans, members of the LGBT community, university students, and gun owners. Through their testimony, the film weaves a diverse tapestry of experiences into a multifaceted narrative of the heroes on the frontlines. As it delves deeper into their experiences, Wake Up confronts tragedy with a call to action: by exploring ways to start thoughtful conversations and push for systemic legislative change, it foregrounds steps to a better world.