About this Short Film
Finding Your Ability, from Queenwood School for Girls (Australia, 2018), is a sensitive short that looks at anxiety, depression and mental health among teenagers in a school setting. Rather than presenting a fixed story, it offers a thoughtful exploration of individual experience and the ways young people navigate mental illness at school. The film sits well within the Focus on Ability festival by highlighting personal strength, awareness and the need for understanding and support. It will prompt viewers to reflect on how schools and communities can better recognise and nurture the abilities of young people facing mental health challenges.
Film Details
Country:
Australia
Category:
School Documentaries
Genre:
interview
Festival Year:
2018
Filmmaker:
Queenwood School for Girls
Film Transcript
I think it probably started around the time of my dad died when I was 11, but I only realised that it was really bad when, about three or four years later, I was at home from morning. It's really impacted my schooling. Ah, last year was particularly not— I didn't go to school for most of the year because I just didn't want to. I didn't have any motivation to get up.
[Music]
That had a major impact. It holds me back from doing a lot of things. A lot of the time I'll either be sleeping all day or I won't sleep for two days because I can't, because my mind is constantly buzzing with thoughts and anxious feelings, and that really impacts me being able to go out and do stuff that I want to do and that I enjoy doing. I'm lucky I have some really great friends that, even when I was really not in a good place and I pushed away, they always kind of were there to support me. My family is really supportive about it. Most of them ask a lot of questions, but you know, I'm lucky to be in a really caring and supportive environment. It has affected some of my relationships, but you kind of come to learn that the people that are most important to you and that are worth the most to you are always going to be there for you, and I think that this has really helped me see who I need in my life.
[Music]
Since I'm a really— child, it's really concerning for her because, you know, we don't have my dad anymore and I probably— she's always very worried about me. Even if I'm the littlest bit in a bad mood or upset, she won't leave me alone. She makes sure that I'm always, you know, with someone or she can see me. It's not like you can just kind of step out and go, "Oh, that doesn't actually really matter that much," because— my advice for anyone suffering a disability: parents are there for you. Specifically, professionals are definitely there for you, and I feel like it's very important to seek support professionally as well as opening up. I have found that opening up has really helped me to kind of distance myself from my disability. I kind of realised that it's a small part of me; it's not the whole me, and talking about it definitely gives it less power over me.
Going through this experience and these past few years I have learned now to focus on my ability rather than my disability. It showed me how strong people can be and how supportive and kind people could be and how easily we are. One of my favourite quotes that I have picked up along the way that I say to myself is "this too shall pass" — it is 100% true. I just want to say to anyone suffering from this disability that it will— emotions come and go and you just have to hold on and find the ability in your disability.
[Music]
Filmmaker
Queenwood School for Girls is the filmmaker behind this entry. See every Focus on Ability entry from Queenwood School for Girls.
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