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First-time director, Duy Huynh partners with Documentary Australia, Screen Australia, VicScreen and University of Melbourne on documentary How to Thrive: a practical guide to happiness.

Premiering this October, documentary How to Thrive: a practical guide to happiness is a heartfelt, hopeful journey which tracks the transformation of seven participants with mental health issues, guided by Positive Psychotherapist Marie McLeod.

Its goal is to offer actionable tools and strategies for audiences to adopt towards lifelong happiness and wellbeing regardless of where people are on the mental health continuum.

A first documentary from Beyondedge, a production company dedicated to films with social impact, How to Thrive is a direct response to the growing mental health crisis. Offering evidence-based approaches from the sciences of wellbeing and positive psychology, the film was made possible with the support of Documentary Australia, Screen Australia, and VicScreen; with University of Melbourne providing academic support

Directed and written by Duy Huynh, How to Thrive is inspired by his own connection to adversity and struggle particularly as a first-generation refugee and is representative of his vision for a world where health, happiness, and thriving skills are accessible to all.

“We actually know quite a lot about the science of happiness and wellbeing; but until now, these approaches haven’t had the broad exposure they deserve. Mainstream mental health services focus on getting people to zero – that is – zero disorder. What we wanted to test was, if we gave people experiencing struggle skills to thrive, would it make a difference? The results have been pretty remarkable with participants all making significant gains beyond just being disorder free.”

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Filmed partially during the multiple COVID lockdowns, the documentary was put under considerable pressure with the pandemic adding complexity and mental health strain on participants.

Dr Peggy Kern, Research Psychologist from Melbourne University said: “If our participants had maintained the same results pre-COVID, it would have been a significant win, but in fact, we saw gains that took our participants from deep struggle to a positive thriving space.

“Having measured the participant’s wellbeing scores at the start, end and 18 months afterwards, we can see the program gave participants the tools and skills to be well and be able to maintain this level of wellbeing even when we stopped intervening.”

This aside, the film is a deeply impactful experience that doesn’t shy away from confronting the struggles each participant shares; whilst ultimately delivering a message of hope and the capacity within us to thrive; embedding the tools and strategies as part of a compelling film narrative.

The documentary is co-produced by Andrew Kelly and executive-produced by Dylan Cooper and Co-founder and CEO of Documentary Australia, Mitzi Goldman.

Major cinema chains have embraced the film, screening it in metro and regional areas around the country.

Head of Marketing for Palace Cinemas, Alex Moir, said Palace is proud to be bringing this film to audiences across its circuit.

“With the pandemic having a significant impact on mental health, a film like How to Thrive is so important to not only address the issue but encourage action. Palace Cinemas is very supportive of this message and we are proud to be showing How to Thrive during Mental Health month across the country. We encourage everyone to book tickets for this special release.”

Produced by Beyondedge, How to Thrive offers more than hope to Australians this Mental Health month Screening in cinemas across Australia from 6 October: https://www.howtothrivefilm.com/screenings