Film premiere

Winner of 2017 Society of Professional Journalists: Ohio’s Best Journalism Contest, best videographer and best of show
Winner of 2017 Best of USA Today Network Awards, div III, digital storytelling, 2nd place
Winner of 2017 Best of USA Today Network Awards, div III, consumer engagement, 2nd place
Winner of 2017 Associated Press Managing Editors awards, div. I, best video 1st place
Winner of 2017 Associated Press Managing Editors awards, div. I, best public service, 1st place
Winner of 2017 USA Today Network journalism awards 1st quarter, div. III, consumer engagement, 1st place
Winner of 2017 USA Today Network journalism awards 1st quarter, div. III, digital storytelling, 1st place
Winner of 2017 USA Today Network journalism awards 1st quarter, div. III, video finalist
Winner of 2017 Media Network of Central Ohio, Feb. MVP Award, 1st place
Winner of 2017 Ohio News Photographers Association, Feb. clip contest, photo story, 3rd place
Winner of 2017 Ohio News Photographers Association, Feb. clip contest, portrait, honorable mention

Suicide: surviving crisis IMDB page

Suicide: surviving crisis
1 hour 27 min.

FULL-LENGTH DOCUMENTARY Survivors of suicide attempts and family members hurt by loss tell their stories of the grim and growing problem in Sandusky and Ottawa counties. Hotlines get desperate calls for help every day and emergency responders emotionally deal with people who are threatening to take their own lives. In The News-Messenger’s documentary by photojournalist Molly Corfman, suicide and mental health issues are explored through the eyes of the people who have survived it. Go in-depth with first responders who have become the caretakers of people in crisis from a mental illness. Explore the outcome of when someone calls the crisis hotline. Examine suicide from the stigma to the religious perspective.

Videos – personal stories of suicide attempts

Joni Holland, 16
Suicidal at 11-years-old 5:05

Nicole Holland, 14
Family pained by suicide attempt 3:45

Lee, 74, and Lois Waggoner, 73
Love eases suicidal thoughts 4:40

John Minich, 23
Suicidal thoughts and PTSD 5:30

Jonathan Martin, 28
Suicide and what others think 4:30

Nate Kehlmeier, 34
Heroin leads to suicide attempt 4:05

Suicide and depression 8:05
Mental health is a continuum 1:30
Aftermath of suicide 2:50
Calling the crisis hotline 4:25
Therapy: speaking of suicide 4:25
Talking someone down 1:30
As long as you are alive 1:15
Kids and tough problems 4:20
Seniors and end of life 2:05
Firefighter lost to suicide 3:15
First responder mental health 5:05
Crisis Intervention Team Training 4:40
Nephew’s pain from suicide 3:35
Suicide and salvation 4:25
Stigma of suicide 3:00
Helping someone with PTSD 1:15
Understanding love language 1:40
Asking “Are you okay?” 4:10

Written articles by Daniel Carson

Written article by Daniel Carson – Part 1


Suicide: A grim reality


What drives a person to think about suicide?
Written article by Daniel Carson – Part 2


Loved ones left with questions


Children try to take own lives
Written article by Daniel Carson – Part 3


Suicide: the silent crisis – crushing the stigma


First responders get crisis training

Judges comments

“This multimedia project on local residents’ experiences with suicide that culminated in a community event would be ambitious for newsrooms of any size. But in a smaller newsroom with a team of only two people working on it is an amazing show of fortitude. Carson and Corfman took The News-Messenger’s audience on a journey into the effects suicide has on families and the community. Corfman’s movie-length documentary was widely acclaimed by the community and has been suggested to be shown in schools, before law enforcement organizations and civic organizations. This is an example of how dedication and perseverance can create an impactful conversation in a community.”
– USA Today Network journalism awards 1st quarter, div. III, consumer engagement, 1st place

“After a year of interviews and research, the reporter and photographer took the initiative to create a community premiere event and publicize it themselves. The response, including requests for the film to be shown at other venues and to include it in training programs, suggests that the deep insights into these victims will have positive impact and lead to meaningful long-term community partnerships.”
-Best of USA Today Network Awards, Div III, consumer engagement, 2nd place

“This is a remarkable telling of stories that aren’t often heard, using a 90-minute documentary to convey an unusual level of insight and emotion.”
-Best of USA Today Network Awards, Div III, digital storytelling, 2nd place

“Compelling, emotional and thought provoking. Great use of video to make this closer to home.”
-USA Today Network journalism awards 1st quarter, div. III, digital storytelling, 1st place

“The work put into this project was impressive, included the best quotes and b-roll.”
-USA Today Network journalism awards 1st quarter, div. III, video finalist

“I was very impressed by the quality of this video. The interviews were informative and in-depth. The variety of sources provided a unique perspective on this issue. The production quality was very good. Clearly a lot of time and effort went into making this video.”
-2017 Associated Press Managing Editors awards, div. I, best video 1st place