“I chose mental health, and the impact that it has on sufferer’s families,” he said.

The result is a combined live action and animated short film called “To Walk a Mile”, the first film he has made or acted in.

“I just wanted to spread the word about mental health and overturn stereotypes about it, and try to make a difference in the community,” he said.

The film focuses on a young man, played by John himself, whose mother, for who he is a carer, is suffering poor mental health.

His friend, played by fellow Bay High student Joshua Paranthoiene, initially struggles to understand his predicament, but later comes around and offers his support.

“The themes are resilience and empathy,” John said. 

John made the film with the guidance of South Coast Workplace Learning volunteer mentor Kerry Foster.

The film features camerawork and clever animation, but for John, the hardest part came when he had to present the film in front of a school assembly.

“I made a speech and presented the video; It was nerve-wracking,” he said.

However, it was a success.

“You could’ve heard a pin drop,” Ms Foster said. 

The NSW Government’s Youth Frontiers mentoring program is an electorate-based program that focuses on leadership and civic engagement. It targets years eight and nine students with the capacity to benefit from having a mentor.

John is one of four Batemans Bay High School students chosen from a group of 16 to complete projects.

The projects are due to be assessed late in the year or early in 2016. 

Eurobodalla Shire Council will host a reception next month.