By Davion Scott-Bell OMAHA, Neb. – Nebraska students are getting the chance to take their stories from the page to the big screen in a statewide film competition focused on youth mental health and the impact of smartphones on daily life.
Clarkson Regional Health Services (CRHS), in partnership with The Glowmedia Project, launched the script competition earlier this fall to engage middle and high school students in conversations about social media, technology use, and emotional well-being. The winning script will be developed into a short film titled Disconnected, which will be professionally produced in Los Angeles later this year.
A focus on youth voices
The competition invites Nebraska students ages 13 to 19 to submit short scripts about how being “always connected” affects their relationships, focus, and mental health. One winner will receive a free trip to L.A. to take part in production, giving young writers the opportunity to see their ideas brought to life.
Clarkson CEO Dr. Bill Lydiatt said the project connects directly to the organization’s mission to improve overall health in Nebraska by addressing the growing challenges youth face online.
“In our mission to make Nebraska the healthiest state in the country, the impacts of technology overuse and social media addiction on Nebraska’s youth cannot be overlooked,” Lydiatt said. “We hope this competition expands the conversation on youth mental health and empowers students to share their stories in their own voices.”
Creating impact through storytelling
For The Glowmedia Project, the collaboration represents a natural next step in their mission to reach students through film. The nonprofit has produced a library of short films tackling topics like anxiety, substance use, and identity, all designed for classroom discussion.
Founder and executive director Trish Glowacki said this partnership with Clarkson brings her 15-year effort full circle.
“This is exactly what I’ve been working toward,” Glowacki said. “The film will be written by youth, produced for youth, and shown in schools to spark important discussions. We want students to see themselves in the stories on screen and realize that mental health is just as important as physical health.”
Glowacki said that connecting with students through creative projects helps remove stigma and open dialogue. “When young people see characters who look and sound like them, it makes the conversation more real,” she said. “Our goal is to remind them that their voice matters and that they’re not alone.”
Looking ahead
According to the Nebraska Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services, more than a quarter of high school students in the state reported feeling sad or hopeless for at least two weeks in the past year.
By giving students, a platform to tell their stories, both Clarkson and Glowmedia hope Disconnected will help start conversations not only in classrooms but across communities.
Students can submit entries at glowmedia.org/nebraska through Sept. 30. The completed film is expected to debut in December 2025, with educational materials available to schools early next year.
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