Dear Evan Hansen: Q&A and Film Guide

Image of the panel participants for the DEH Q&A
Image of the panel participants for the DEH Q&A

Ages

14+

Content Warning: This resource contains discussion about topics such as suicide, mental illness and depression.

We've collaborated with Dear Evan Hansen director Stephen Chbosky (The Perks of Being a WallflowerWonder), actor Nik Dodani (who stars as Jared) and Jane Caro, a mental health expert and Assistant Director for Programmes in England from the Mental Health Foundation, for an exclusive Q&A, hosted by broadcaster and campaigner Gina Martin.

Dear Evan Hansen focuses on a young teen who suffers with Social Anxiety Disorder and low self-esteem, who finds himself in a unique and confronting situation after pretending to be the best friend of another classmate who has just taken his own life.The film highlights challenging life events such as grief, loss, suicide, social isolation and finding a sense of belonging at a turbulent age - all important topics to discuss with young people at all times of year.

The Q&A explores important topics within the film's narrative and considers how these challenges can impact children and young people. To ensure we posed the questions young people wanted to hear, we asked our community of Young Reporters and members of our Youth Advisory Council to submit their questions ahead of the Q&A.

You can also download our accompanying film guide which can help to support discussions about the film with your class or Into Film Club.

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We have developed a large catalogue of educational resources since launching in 2013, and some references and terminology will inevitably have dated as society and language evolves. We are aware of this and will be updating resources when our production schedule allows.

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