At Breadcrumb Media, we often say “It’s not just another project. It’s a story we become part of.” and never has that been truer than when we had the privilege of partnering with the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) to produce a Suicide Prevention film.

The goal was clear: create a film, led by young people, that would cut through the digital noise and deliver a message of hope, encouraging open conversation—a vital step in making suicide prevention “everybody’s business.”

The Challenge: Sensitivity and Trust

Suicide prevention is one of the most important and sensitive topics in public health. While the mission—like that championed by Healthy Suffolk—is to connect people with urgent support (Samaritans, Papyrus, NHS 111) and raise awareness, the content itself needs careful handling.

For this project, the critical challenge was not technical, but human. We needed to film young people discussing a topic that, for many, was deeply personal and close to home. Their emotional safety and comfort were paramount.

Our Human-First Approach

We recognised immediately that our role went beyond just operating a camera; it was about creating a safe, supportive environment where vulnerability was possible. This project demanded patience and understanding from every member of our team.

Here is what the client shared about the experience:

“We have recently been working with Breadcrumb Media to produce a Suicide Prevention film created by, and including, young people. Mark and the team offered so much support, patience and understanding throughout that, although the subject matter was sensitive, it was an enjoyable experience.

On the day many young people were feeling anxious about being on film, however they all expressed just how appreciative they were of the kindness they were shown by the team.”

One young person shared: ‘I was so nervous going into the room but they spoke to me through everything so I knew what to expect. They let me know that I didn’t have to get it right first time and this took so much pressure off that I actually quite enjoyed it.’

Another young person spoke about feeling ‘very at ease despite not having met them before’ and requested that we work with them again if we have any future projects.

The Takeaway

The compassion needed for this project was just as important as the vision and technical skill. Our team focused on:

• Setting Clear Expectations: Talking participants through every step of the filming process to remove the fear of the unknown.

• Zero Pressure: Reassuring them that there was no need to “get it right first time,” allowing them to relax and deliver genuine contributions.

• Thorough Understanding: Ensuring we fully understood the delicate nuances of the brief, guaranteeing the final film aligned with NSFT’s goals and therapeutic intent.

The Result: More Than Expected

The goal of the film was to encourage open, honest conversations—and by creating an environment where the young participants felt safe enough to be honest. We are proud to hear that the people involved felt that we achieved exactly that.

The client confirmed that the final film was “more than we hoped it would be.” Which  stands as a powerful testament to our ethos “It’s not just another project. It’s a story we become part of.”