LET'S TALK...

THE CHALLENGE

Despite growing awareness, depression in Thailand remains heavily stigmatized—especially among two vulnerable yet overlooked groups: young professionals and older women in rural communities.

Many suffer in silence. Families don’t know what to say. And media often misses the mark—either sensationalizing or oversimplifying.

WHO needed a film that didn’t just inform, but connected.
Something real. Something relatable. Something human.

OUR APPROACH

Sidekick produced a powerful, 3-minute short film directed by acclaimed Thai filmmaker Patchanon Thammajira (3 A.M. 3D, Colic), built on dozens of in-depth interviews with individuals living with depression—doctors, patients, and families alike.

Instead of actors playing stereotypes, we wove real stories into two composite characters:

• Prae – A vibrant, young creative drowning in work and isolation in urban Bangkok

• A Teacher – A respected 50-year-old woman from a rural province, admired by many, but silently struggling

Their lives unfold in parallel—mirroring common symptoms, silent suffering, and the turning points that come from connection and care.

The result was a film that resonated deeply, grounded in cultural nuance and emotional truth.

SIDEKICK'S ROLE

• In-depth interviews with over 10 individuals living with or supporting those with depression

• Creative direction and scripting grounded in behavioral and emotional insight

• Full film production, casting, and post-production in collaboration with director Patchanon Thammajira

• Messaging strategy aligned with WHO’s global “Let’s Talk” campaign

• Distribution through hospital networks nationwide in Thailand

IMPACT

• Audiences across Thailand shared how the film “felt like my own story” or “what my daughter went through”

• The video was screened in hospitals nationwide, used as a tool to spark conversations between patients and caregivers

• The film prompted reflection and dialogue, especially among families previously unsure how to approach mental health

• Helped reduce stigma by reframing depression as common, real, and treatable—not a character flaw

• Showcased the power of empathy-driven storytelling to humanize data and health messaging