Breaking Strongholds is an 8 film TV series that highlights the suicide epidemic in Montgomery County.

“[It’s about] a teen’s life and how he was to the point of fixing to take his life with a plan,” said Executive Producer Carla McDougal, “and how an adult became a mentor to him.”

The films will tackle issues such as PTSD, social media influence, suicide, and more. They are inspired by real-life stories and incorporate faith based elements into the videos.

“We’ve got to combat that fear with hope,” McDougal said, “and the healing that is available.”

Suicide is a growing epidemic across the country, and is the second leading cause for people 10 to 34, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. In 2017, Montgomery County had more suicides per 100,000 people than the USA as a whole.

“[The story] appeals to anyone because it’s a broad topic,” McDougal said.

The company behind Breaking Strongholds, Reflective Media Productions, or RMP, has produced other films addressing similar issues.
R U Ok? is a video in collaboration with the Cassidy Joined for Hope Foundation, and mirrors the story of Breaking Strongholds as a young girl feels the influence of social media that creates doubt about her life and if she wants to continue on.

RMP hopes that Breaking Strongholds will replicate the impact that their previous films have had, and affect both teens and parents alike.

“We want parents to be aware of how one adult can make a difference in a teen’s life,” McDougal said.

The Montgomery community has also joined in for the collective effort of suicide prevention Many nonprofits, school districts, faith groups, and more joined the Task Force led by Judge Wayne Mack to contribute to the conversation about mental health in their community.

RMP has gotten a lot of support from the town and hopes their film series can open the eyes of many to the rising mental health issues.

The series comes out in 2020 and will be available on Amazon Video.