Focusing on the football team at Kingston High School in New York, this compelling program follows Tony Porter, CEO of A Call to Men, a violence prevention organization, as he works with student-athletes to redefine masculinity and explore manhood from a new perspective. Without voiceover narration, the film unfolds through raw footage of group discussions, workshops, and personal reflections led by Porter and members of the TMI Project.
Football coach Jeramie Collins plays a central role—not just on the field, where we see practice and game footage, but also in the classroom, where he reminds players that football demands emotion and that expressing feelings is a strength, not a weakness.
The film captures the team’s participation in a New Jersey event featuring former New York Giants star Mark Herzlich, who shares how his girlfriend (now wife) confided in him about past abuse. Herzlich encourages the students to “let your love show,” driving home the message that empathy and emotional expression are vital.
Throughout the film, students—including Gabe, Matt, Eddie, and Kevin—write and perform memoirs in a school auditorium, addressing personal experiences of absent fathers, grief, family tension, drug use, and what it means to be a man. These powerful, emotionally raw speeches provide a moving portrait of young men finding their voice.
This film is especially well-suited for teen audiences and educators looking to spark dialogue around masculinity, emotional literacy, violence prevention, and healthy relationships. It also demonstrates how storytelling and self-expression can be transformative tools for personal growth and empathy. Recommended.
What makes this a powerful men's mental health documentary for teens?
By following real students through group discussions, writing workshops, and personal storytelling, the film allows young viewers to see their peers openly express grief, anger, and vulnerability. Guided by violence prevention advocates like Tony Porter and the TMI Project, the documentary models healthy emotional expression and helps redefine what it means to be a strong, respectful young man. Its school-based setting and relatable cast make it especially impactful for teen audiences navigating similar social pressures.
Why should public and school libraries add this men's mental health documentary to their shelves?
This film belongs in any library collection committed to youth development, mental health, and social-emotional learning. It offers a rare and valuable resource for discussions around gender norms, emotional intelligence, and violence prevention—issues that are increasingly central to adolescent education. Ideal for use in classroom settings, youth programming, or community screenings, the documentary provides a starting point for conversations about masculinity, relationships, peer pressure, and self-expression. Libraries serving educators, counselors, or youth mentors will find this an indispensable tool for fostering empathy and resilience in young people.