Coping 101: A Film Frame of Mind

Coping 101

"Once you get there, don't forget to grab someone's hand and bring them with you." In this episode we're joined by two guests who focus our lens on the healing power of authentic mentorship, where you learn as much as you impart. The mentor: Megan Garbayo-López is a Queer Latina filmmaker, film educator, and film programmer with SIFF. She works with Seattle-area schools to mentor youth and introduce the art of filmmaking, while fostering pathways to self expression and careers in the film industry. Growing up neurodivergent in a mixed-race family 'in between spaces', Megan experienced food scarcity and childhood sexual abuse, where she 'lost her body' and eventually struggled with eating disorders, anxiety and depression. After a journey of healing through inpatient treatment, EMDR therapy and trauma work, she's now a mentor on a mission to be the adult that she needed as a kid. The mentee: Kelbi Maldonado is a super-senior at Scriber Lake High School, who was mentored by Megan and recently interned with the Seattle International Film Festival. As a young Queer person struggling with intense isolation during the pandemic, they experienced anxiety and suicidal ideation without the language to explain what was going on inside of them. Co-dependency with marijuana became a coping mechanism which temporarily saved them but also negatively impacted their mental health by suppressing emotions to the point they were no longer feeling anything. After quitting smoking, they began somatic work, therapy and inpatient treatment on a path of self care, recovery, and personal empowerment.

Co-presented by 4Culture, Coping 101's Artist Mental Health Stories amplify voices from King County's cultural sector to empower individual artists, uplift the creative community and destigmatize mental health from a teen's perspective. No matter our age or background we all face challenges, and there are many healthy ways to find balance. Get started with more episodes and resources hosted at c895.org/coping101

• more about Megan Garbayo-López: https://letterboxd.com/siff/story/meet-the-programmer-megan-garbayo-lopez/
• More about SIFF's youth education programming: https://www.siff.net/programs-and-events/youth
• more about 4Culture: https://www.4culture.org/