Gus Lanz, the mental health research man

So while I sat here wondering "what do I blog about now that the world is basically on the edge of apocalypse/on pause", I decided "hey, representation research is a good move". So here I am with research on representation and some quick statistics for Y'all.

While it took me a while to fully embrace it, this piece is going to represent someone in the throws of a battle with their mental health. This problem is a growing issue amongst Gen Z, and it's one Film makers have been trying to address for a long time.

Wether it's Donnie Darko or Joker, mental health conversations have appeared in some form of mainstream film media over the last 20ish years with varying takes. Joker portrays a man spiraling due to external forces, while movies like Donnie Darko place more emphasis on the internal machinations of the protagonists manifestations, best embodied by the weird creepy rabbit thing: Frank. No, I will not be linking a picture of Frank because it's like 2AM as I write this and that bunny thing freaks me the hell out. No thank you sir. Joker, while it did HAVE a conversation regarding mental health, I feel like it was too all over the place to give a coherent conversation.

Anyways, let's talk Gen Z and our mental health crisis! BOOOOOOO!!!

* a 2019 study found that among undergraduate students, “rates of depression, anxiety, … and suicide attempts markedly increased [from 2007 to 2018], with rates doubling over the period in many cases.”

*Suicide is the 2nd-leading cause of death

*Millenials+Gen Z face highest rates of burnout ever recorded

*Destigmatization efforts have largely failed worldwide

*Overall, are more prone to anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness.

Wow those are all horrible things. However, it's those things that my short film allows commentary on, as it revolves around someone sinking into harmful ideation as they're burned out from day-to-day life. Since stigma is still around globally, our scenario of someone going to extreme lengths to retain appearances stands true, and worthy of analytical commentary on the nature of happiness and modern monotony/loneliness.

Anyways, Still can't sign off well, but I'll see y'all next time.

Research links:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/think-act-be/201912/why-young-people-face-major-mental-health-crisis
https://www.businessinsider.com/cdc-teenage-gen-z-american-suicide-epidemic