Sullivan 180 Warrior Teens Graduate Armed With Facts

Students experience an unforgettable film series that empowers with health knowledge.

[LIBERTY, NY] – Over 50 students from Eldred, Fallsburg and Monticello School Districts attended the final film in the Warrior Teens series at the Hurleyville Performing Arts Center on Friday, May 30th. This was the second Sullivan 180 Warrior Teens program which was created as a result of several Sullivan County youth-serving organizations, seeking to connect their prevention efforts with Sullivan County youth. Post-film discussions were led by professionals from over twelve different organizations followed by a plant-powered lunch and a walk on the Hurleyville O&W Rail Trail. 

The final film in the series was titled “My Ascension” which followed a young woman’s journey after a suicide attempt left her paralyzed. The film highlighted her subsequent work to bring Hope Squads, a school-based suicide prevention program, to schools everywhere. Previous films in the series included “The Social Dilemma” which explores the impact that social media usage has on youth; and a morning of short films that centered on the harmful impacts of vaping titled “Vaping & Viruses: Your Lungs, Your Life”, “Marijuana: New Laws, New Problems for Teens”, and “Black Lives, Black Lungs.”

Survey data shows that after the film series; Warrior Teens were significantly more comfortable talking about the issues that were in the films. The students felt they could be better advocates and messengers in their school and communities. One Warrior Teen shared, “I’ll spread awareness to my peers and family about these struggles. It [the film series] was very enlightening.” Another teen shared, “this experience was great for me to be more comfortable to speak to other people about important topics.” 

Amanda Langseder, Senior Director of Prevention Programming at Sullivan 180 shared that the program would not have been possible without the support of multiple partners in the County. “Catholic Charities helped us purchase films. Staff from county government and several non-profits facilitated teen discussions. These facilitators were all so impressed with the Warrior Teens and many shared it gave them great hope for the future. We have incredible young people here in Sullivan and when empowered with knowledge around important issues affecting their generation, they can become leaders for better health.” 

The public is invited to view the Warrior Teen’s art display titled “Airing Big Tobacco’s Dirty Laundry” in the lobby of the Sullivan County Government Center until June 27th. To learn more about the Sullivan 180 Warrior Teens program or to bring one of these films and discussions to your group, e-mail trainings@sullivan180.org or call 845-295-2681.

Funding for film rights this year was provided through Catholic Charities for substance use-related films and Sullivan County’s Opioid Settlement Fund for the suicide prevention film.