When Emmy Award-winning director Kyle Roberts and his wife spent years serving as Young Life leaders, they began noticing something heartbreaking among teenagers.
Behind the smiles and social media posts were students quietly battling anxiety, depression and even suicidal thoughts.
“We were just seeing a massive rise of depression, anxiety and honestly thoughts of suicide,” Roberts told our Crystal Thornton. “Walking with them through that was heartbreaking.”
That burden eventually became the foundation for "Better Together," an award-winning new film designed to help families have honest conversations about mental health, faith and hope.
The movie follows six teenagers on a wilderness adventure through Oklahoma after tragedy changes the course of their lives. What begins as a physical journey soon becomes something much deeper.
“Through this adventure and through this journey, they really start to break down and talk about all these different struggles they’re going through together,” Roberts explained. “They learn ultimately that they are loved by more than their likes. We have a Creator that loves us so much... and they are better together.”
Hear the entire conversation between Crystal Thornton and Kyle Roberts in the podcast below
Creating a different kind of mental health film
Roberts said one of the driving motivations behind the film was the desire to create something authentic for teenagers without glorifying pain or hopelessness.
“We knew there’s got to be a better way that we can address mental health that is real and honest,” he said. “A way that earns the right to be heard from youth, but also is family-friendly and not cheesy.”
The filmmaking process itself took years.
Roberts shared that the team spent nearly five years carefully crafting the story, gathering feedback from students, parents, teachers and counselors to ensure the film reflected real struggles young people face today.
“We really tried to carefully craft this film to encourage much-needed conversations around faith and mental health,” he said.
More than entertainment
One of the film’s most emotional moments happens around a campfire scene that deeply impacted everyone on set.
“There’s a one-take shot that’s about six minutes long,” Roberts recalled. “Everyone on set was at the monitor just tearing up.”
For Roberts, moments like that confirmed the movie was becoming something much bigger than entertainment.
“It’s going to be something that captures the hearts of a younger generation and their parents,” he said.
The film also partnered with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and launched a companion Bible study and mental health curriculum now being piloted in schools.
“We were trending for depression and anxiety because people were searching it and they needed it,” Roberts shared.
A story rooted in faith
Roberts says his own faith journey deeply shaped the film’s message.
He accepted Christ as a teenager and credits ministries like Young Life for helping guide him during formative years of his life.
“Young Life is about personal connection and earning that right to be heard from youth,” he explained.
That same heartbeat is woven throughout "Better Together"... not as a sermon, but through authentic storytelling.
“I wanted to make sure it did feel real and honest,” Roberts said. “For this film and trying to earn the right to be heard from teenagers, we knew that was the way.”
“You are not alone”
At its core, Roberts hopes the film leaves struggling teens and overwhelmed parents with one powerful reminder:
“They don’t feel alone,” he said. “There’s a God that loves us, wants a relationship with us and we are better together.”
Better Together is in theaters nationwide through June 1. Resources including a free Bible study and mental health curriculum are available at the film’s website. https://bettertogethermovie.com/resources
And if you or someone you love is struggling emotionally, help is available 24 hours a day by calling or texting 988.