(Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is pleased to announce a special collaboration with the Angels Baseball Foundation, resulting in a generous donation to the Directing Change Film Contest, a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about mental health concerns among youth. The Angels’ donation directly supports the program for students in Orange County. Additionally, the Angels highlight student films on the video board at Angel Stadium during home games.
Directing Change empowers youth, ages 12 to 25 across California, to film impactful 60-second Public Service Announcements (PSA). Film topics include mental health, eliminating stigma, suicide prevention, and hope. The program requires student filmmakers to educate themselves, with the guidance of an adult, about mental health issues and suicide prevention. It prepares students to recognize and respond to signs of distress in themselves and their peers. This school year, a total of 285 young people, from 17 schools across Orange County, created 95 films.
“I am thrilled to witness the continued growth of our partnership with the Angels Baseball Foundation and their unwavering commitment to mental health awareness,” said Dr. Veronica Kelley, Chief of the HCA’s Mental Health and Recovery Services. “The Directing Change Program provides a vital platform for middle, high school, and college students to engage in meaningful conversations surrounding mental health, stigma, suicide prevention, and fostering hope.”
Angels Baseball Foundation President Dennis Kuhl, expressed the organization's dedication to community well-being, "The Angels Baseball Foundation is focused on improving education, healthcare, arts and sciences in our local community. We are excited to partner with the Directing Change Program, which aligns with our mission and brings awareness to the mental health of students," he said.
The Directing Change Program was selected by the Angels Baseball Foundation based on its impactful reach within the community. The HCA has continually partnered with the Angels to highlight mental health awareness and suicide prevention in recent years. The collaborative efforts aim to educate, advocate, and support individuals and families impacted by mental illness. In May, the Angels promoted Mental Health Awareness Month by wearing green ribbons on their jerseys for a game against the Minnesota Twins. Additionally, Angels staff members and Bally Sports West broadcasting personnel wore teal and purple ribbons to support Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September. To learn more about resources in Orange County, visit: www.OCnavigator.org.
Local Student Films can be viewed at: www.directingchangeca.org/orangecounty/#events
ABOUT THE OC HEALTH CARE AGENCY
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is a regional interdisciplinary health jurisdiction and an accredited health department, charged with protecting and promoting individual, family and community health through partnership and coordination of public and private sector resources. Visit www.ochealthinfo.com to learn more about services and resources.
ABOUT THE ANGELS BASEBALL FOUNDATION
The Angels Baseball Foundation was established in 2004 under Arte and Carole Moreno. Together with the Los Angeles Angels, the two organizations have contributed more than $24 million in value toward local causes. Each year, the Angels Baseball Foundation rewards community organizations with grants to benefit the individual needs, and to support programs that impact our youth. The Foundation focuses on improving education, healthcare, arts and sciences, as well as community related youth programs and military engagement throughout the region.
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