Teen Actor Hopes Film Encourages Open Dialogue on Mental Health

A 13-year-old boy, currently starring in a short film addressing mental health, has expressed his hope that the production will convey to teenagers that it is “okay to talk”. Jake, a resident of Sherborne, Dorset, portrays one of the principal characters in I Am Enough, a short film penned by Lauren J Irwin. Jake noted that his character, similar to several others in the film, was “hiding from a tough background”. He stated, “My goal for this is just that a lot of other people do watch it and know it’s okay to speak.” The production depicts individuals contending with conditions such as bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and self-harm, among other challenges. Jake, whose acting career began at the age of seven, mentioned that he plays a character whose brother is a drug dealer, leading others to consistently presume his character is involved in similar activities. “He’s really scared but he puts on a hard front,” he commented. During a particular scene, his brother is required to become “really angry” and forcefully push him against a wall. Jo, Jake’s mother, described the scene as “awful” to witness. She recounted, “This big guy was pinning him up against the wall.” “It’s really hard to watch,” she added. She explained that the film was “really, really hard hitting,” emphasizing that this quality underscored its significance. “I did actually shed a few tears at the end,” she revealed. She continued, “I’m really proud of [Jake]. He’s doing really well.” Production concluded two months prior, and Jake reported that many of his friends were “really excited” to view the final cut. He stated, “All of my friends have got a lot of hidden disabilities so we like to just show what its like being like [that].” Jo remarked, “This is going to be really, really good… it’s such a hard subject.” She further commented, “It’s one of the projects that [Jake] is most proud of… it’s going to do some real good for teens.” I Am Enough is slated for submission to various short film festivals throughout the upcoming year. For those seeking assistance, the BBC Action Line web page provides a compilation of organizations prepared to offer support and advice if affected by this narrative. BBC Dorset can be followed on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external sites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.