Award success for co-produced mental health film

The Nexus team at the 2023 HSJ Awards

Nexus, a short film about the impact of COVID-19 on young people's mental health, has received several awards and nominations.

Nexus was made as part of a collaboration between West London NHS Trust, Inner Eye Productions and Imperial College London, with funding from the Burdett Trust and is based on research by Dr Lindsay Dewa, Advanced Research Fellow in the School of Public Health and Institute of Global Health Innovation.

Dr Dewa’s research focuses on detecting and preventing declines in youth mental health. She investigated the mental health impact of COVID-19 lockdowns. The film was co-produced with young people who have lived experience of mental health difficulties.

Nexus premiered at the British Film Institute (BFI) in December. The BFI has also archived the film due to its social significance. The film was then screened across the UK as part of Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

You can watch the full Nexus film via the Imperial College London YouTube channel:

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The team behind Nexus won the Royal College of Psychiatrists Psychiatric Communicator of the Year award as well as winning Gold in the Health and Wellbeing category at the EVCOM Clarion Awards.

Dylan, one of the co-producers of the film said: “I am incredibly proud of the Nexus team and all that we have achieved so far with our film. It has been truly gratifying to have the opportunity to showcase Nexus nationwide and raise awareness about important topics such as poverty, eating disorders, loneliness, and mental health issues."

"Additionally, emphasising the significance of involving people with lived experiences in the entire process and conception of the film is essential. Being acknowledged for our work is the icing on the cake.”

Dr Lindsay Dewa was awarded the Imperial College London President’s Medal for Excellence in Societal Engagement. Lindsay was recognised for her innovative approach to engaging young people in her research and the revolutionary way she engaged the public with science.

Nexus was also shortlisted for the Health Service Journal Awards for NHS Communications Initiative of the Year 2023. The Health Service Journal (HSJ) awards are the largest healthcare awards of their type in the world.

"I am so happy with all Nexus has achieved. We never thought we would have had the amount of success and recognition when Chris (Director) first approached me way back during the pandemic! I pushed from day one that our film must be co-produced with young people. Working together in partnership with young people across all film stages from script writing to filming to editing has truly made it a fantastic film." said Dr Lindsay Dewa.

"It has also meant the young people have developed skills in film production, built their confidence and public speaking. One young person even travelled to South Korea with me and we co-presented on Nexus together. Giving them the best experience and making their voices heard has what's mattered most to me!"