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<\/p>\nSALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) \u2014 A Utah-made film is prompting conversations about mental health \u2014 and the role friends can play in recognizing when someone is struggling.<\/p>\n
Last Seven Days tells the story of a military veteran documenting what he believes may be the final week of his life, capturing the highs and lows he experiences along the way.<\/p>\n
The film explores themes of struggle and hope, with its creators emphasizing the importance of checking in on friends who may be facing mental health challenges.<\/p>\n
MORE | ARC Salt Lake:<\/p>\n
Last Seven Days tells the story of a military veteran documenting what he believes may be the final week of his life, capturing the highs and lows he experiences along the way. (KUTV)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
ARC Salt Lake spoke with director Rickey Jewkes and lead actor Paul Anthony Sonnier Jr. about why they chose to tell this story in Utah, the decision to portray raw and honest experiences on screen, and what they hope viewers take away from the film.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about a military veteran who is documenting what he understands as the last week of his life,\u201d Jewkes said. \u201cIt covers his highs and lows throughout the week.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the idea of the movie came from a fear that one day he would find similar footage documenting a friend\u2019s final thoughts before going through with self-harm.<\/p>\n
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Last Seven Days tells the story of a military veteran documenting what he believes may be the final week of his life, capturing the highs and lows he experiences along the way. (Photo credit Midtown Productions)<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a crisis of mental health here in Utah, so we wanted to do a heavy-hitting film that really addressed that,\u201d Jewkes said.<\/p>\n
Jewkes took the film to Sonnier, who said he loved the story and wanted to be involved.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy dad\u2019s a (veteran) and I have a lot of friends who are military vets, so I have stories \u2013 I\u2019ve heard stories of what some of them have gone through,\u201d Sonnier said. \u201cTo be able to portray that in this film… it\u2019s very heavy, it\u2019s very hard-hitting.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUltimately, it\u2019s a message of hope… it\u2019s really necessary to see what the warning signs might be in someone that you know,\u201d Jewkes said. \u201cIt covers a lot of aspects of daily living, of our purpose of life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jewkes said the project was his first feature film.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause we had limited resources, we funded it on our own. It\u2019s been a grassroots effort from the beginning,\u201d he said. \u201cWe didn\u2019t have the luxury of multiple filming days, so we had to cram a 106-minute movie into seven filming days.\u201d<\/p>\n
The movie has not yet been released.<\/p>\n
They planned to release their first trailer Monday to help bring awareness, increase their online reach and show movie distributors the appetite for the film.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re turning to the public for help getting this out there,\u201d Jewkes said. \u201cWe\u2019re trying to build a social media following so that can use that when we\u2019re pitching to a distributor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anyone interested in showing support for the film can visit Jewkes pages on Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, Facebook<\/a> and YouTube<\/a>. <\/p>\n Suicide Prevention Resources<\/p>\n Utah Crisis Line, in association with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255<\/a><\/p>\n Call 24\/7 to speak to a licensed crisis counselor if you or a loved one are having thoughts of suicide, are experiencing an emotional or mental health crisis, or are feeling overwhelmed and need support.For callers with a non-Utah area code, dial the local number: 801-587-3000<\/a>.<\/p>\n Utah Warm Line: 833-SPEAKUT (833-773-2588<\/a> toll free) \/ 801-587-1055<\/a> (local)<\/p>\n Open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Call to speak with a certified peer support specialist.This service is for people who are not in crisis, but seeking emotional support, engagement, or encouragement. Certified peer specialists offer support and empower callers to resolve problems by fostering a sense of hope, dignity, and self-respect.Resource for people who are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, isolated, or like they just need someone to talk to.<\/p>\n Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams (MCOT)<\/p>\n Triaged and dispatched through the Utah Statewide Crisis Line by calling 1-800-273-8255<\/a>, teams are available for dispatch in Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, and Utah counties, and the southwest region of Utah, including St. George and surrounding cities. Additional rural teams were created this past legislative session through the passage of House Bill 32.Due to COVID-19, crisis counselors on the CrisisLine will ask health screening questions to determine if an in-person or telehealth response is most beneficial. MCOT staff may wear the CDC\u2019s recommended universal precautions to include goggles, masks, gloves, and gowns to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community and health care workforce.<\/p>\n SafeUT (Crisis Chat and School Safety Tip app)<\/p>\n The SafeUT Crisis Chat and Tip Line is a statewide service that provides real-time crisis intervention to youth (public K-12 and higher education) through live chat and a confidential tip program \u2013 right from your smartphone.)Licensed crisis counselors are available 24\/7 to respond to all incoming chats, tips, and calls by providing supportive or crisis counseling, suicide prevention, and referral services.Support is also available to parents and educators of students in public K-12 and higher education.Free and available for download from the Google Play Store and the App Store.<\/p>\n SafeUTNG (Crisis Chat and Safety Tip app for Utah\u2019s Army and Air National Guard service members, family members, and personnel)<\/p>\n As an extension of SafeUT, the SafeUTNG app provides a safe and confidential platform to communicate with a licensed crisis counselor 24\/7. Users can text, submit a tip, or call to receive support.The app is operated and managed by the University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute (UNI) in partnership with the Utah National Guard.Licensed mental health professionals can assist with a variety of issues including: emotional crisis, grief and loss, drug and alcohol issues, mental health issues, self-harm, suicide prevention, and safety concerns.Free and available for download from the Google Play Store and the App Store<\/p>\n Live On \u2013 Utah\u2019s statewide suicide prevention and awareness campaign at liveonutah.org<\/a><\/p>\n A consolidated location for support, resources, giving\/receiving help, and events to stay informed and involved.Focused on a \u201cMantra of Hope: Live On is a statewide effort to prevent suicide by promoting education, providing resources, and changing our culture around suicide and mental health. Together we can get through, reach out, lift up, look ahead, and Live On.\u201dFollow them on all social media platforms @liveonutah<\/p>\n 988: 3-digit nationwide number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline<\/p>\n This 3-digit number allows for easier access to mental health services for people experiencing challenges and crises.<\/p>\n _____<\/p>\n