The inspiration for this documentary came about in 2011 when then-teenager Jacqueline Monetta learned of the suicide of her best friend—a tragedy that was magnified when five other students from her school took their lives within the course of a year. Co-directed by Monetta and Kiki Goshay, Not Alone follows Monetta as she interviews nine teens from the California Bay Area who considered suicide when they felt unable to cope with the problems in their lives. The kids detail their respective issues, including dealing with bullying (both in-person and through social media), peer pressure, and low self-esteem. One young man talks about how his sexual orientation resulted in constant harassment, while a young woman of mixed race with a plus-size physique was forced to endure the double-barreled bullying of racial slurs and body shaming. While teens will likely relate more to the film because it does not bring in parents, teachers, counselors, or any adult authority figure to offer input or advice, this could give the incorrect impression that kids were somehow able to solve their own problems with little or no adult help. Still, Not Alone—presented in both its full length and a 30-minute abridged version—would serve well as a discussion starter on teen suicide. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)
Not Alone
(2016) 50 min. DVD: $95: high schools & public libraries; $295 w/PPR: colleges & universities (discussion guide included). DRA. Ro*co Films Educational. Closed captioned. Volume 33, Issue 5
Not Alone
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