Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center officials hosted a screening of the film “Listen” on Tuesday, drawing hundreds to discuss mental health issues with the film’s director and other professionals.

Planned by Hart District officials, the “Listen: It Only Takes A Moment” event was held in association with the city of Santa Clarita, SCV Youth Group and more local non-profit and mental health organizations in the hopes of opening up a conversation with the community’s youth.

“All of these issues hit so close to home, yet it’s such a difficult conversation to broach with people because immediately when you say the words ‘mental’ or ‘health’ together, people automatically think ‘mental illness,’ and then they kind of get self conscious about having that type of conversation,’” said the film’s writer and director Erahm Christopher. “So I felt the best way to get people to talk about the issue was to just illustrate how mental health is a part of every aspect of our life and how all of these issues, no matter whether its depression, or self harm, or eating disorders or suicide ideation, they’re all mental health issues…And we all need to be able to feel comfortable having these conversations.”

Before and after the screening, there were informational booths offering resources and information to attendees about professional services available in the community for anyone who may need help.

Canyon High School counselor Olga Lavalle related to the film and offered acknowledgement to any students who also connected with some of the film’s characters.

“Don’t be afraid to tell us what’s going on. Anybody–your teacher, your counselor, your assistant principal, whoever you have a good relationship with, and reach out to them,” Lavalle said. “As I was watching (the film and) it touched so many things that reminded me of, you know, this particular person in high school made me feel this way, and I still remember that, and that feeling, knowing that another student’s feeling that kills me. We want to help. Come and see us.”