Suicide film for Year 6's

[LovelyBath]

OK so the children in year 6 have been offered a drama class this week after school, as someone is making a film locally and looking for children to act in the film.

The Head says they want us to know from the start the subject of the film matter may not be suitable for all children. The enclosed letter go son to say it is about a child of around 11 discovering their father has taken his own life. (suicide). I'm not sure if this means discovering the body.

It is a church school, and it is not religious in context.

Of course, the children are really excited about the possibility of acting in a film.

Not sure what to make of it in honestly. I have read somewhere that suicide is the leading cause of death in young men.

I suppose it is a question of seeing if they get chosen for it and dealing with it then.

[Tiredemma]

It is the leading cause of death in young men. Massive stigma associated- deplorable negative attitudes (telling people on top of car parks to 'hurry up and jump' for example)

I think any school discussing mental health issues should be applauded. If we were only so open and educated we may not see so much stigma and people feeling that they have no one to turn to.

[LovelyBath]

Yes I suppose that is true. My concern is about speaking with quite young children about people killing themselves, we have discussed death a bit.

[Tiredemma]

I would hope that its explored sensitively and not in a gory, sensationalist way.

[LovelyBath]

Yes, I would think so. It is a very caring school. I will have to discuss it with him, as he does get very emotional about death, for example if someone sees in a story.

[LovelyBath]

someone dies in a story, I mean.

[Tamirwen]

From the acting perspective, they are very careful with what children do and see on film/TV sets. Even if the scene depicts the child discovering the body, very careful editing is used so that usually, the child isn't seeing any sort of body at all. There is loads of debriefing and help on hand.

[LovelyBath]

Ok. Thank you for the replies.

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

We did the same play - or something very similar sounding. It was an excellent way to explore why you'd commit suicide, what other options there were, what effect it has on those left behind.

It led to quite a few people in my year speaking to the head of care about being unhappy or having suicidal thoughts, so I think it helped. For me, who wasn't suicidal, it was a really interesting piece to act and it helped develop empathy.

I wouldn't worry unless it appears to be being approached badly.

[theycallmemellojello]

I wouldn't assume that some random local filmmaker is observing industry codes about kids acting where there is upsetting subject matter. I wouldn't be over the moon about this, but I think your wait and see attitude sounds about right lovelybath.

[acatcalledjohn]

Excuse me, posted on wring thread. Have reported.

Sorry OP!

[Waypasttethersend]

What's that all about acat

Op can you get sight of the script and storyboard?

[TheoriginalLEM]

my dd is in year 6 and in no way would i be happy about this.

[ThatWentWell]

I think it is different for each child and it's up to the parent to decide if they think it appropriate. I would request for my child to be excluded from this, I'm absolutely definite about that.

I also don't think the subject matter should be swept under the carpet, I just believe 10/11 is too young for this kind of exercise.

Are you able to "opt' out?

[LovelyBath]

Ok, it's today after school they have the drama workshop so I guess don't need to think about it unless he gets chosen for a role. There are 60 children in Year 6 so I wonder how many will go along...

This morning my other son, who is 7 said "Is that the film about someone jumping off a cliff and killing themselves" so guess it's been a point of discussion