National TO SAVE A LIFE Week Announced to Touch 1 Million Lives With a Message of Hope for Hurting Teens

OCEANSIDE, Calif., July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- During the week of September 6-12, corresponding with National Suicide Prevention Week, New Song Pictures and Outreach Films, the creators of the #1 faith-based film of 2010 To Save A Life plan to use the movie as a vehicle to save lives and inspire teens to reach out to their communities and engage with the hurting and lonely in their midst.

Since its theatrical release in January, To Save A Life has impacted over 600,000 teens, youth workers, coaches, pastors and parents who viewed the film in theaters. Thousands have written in to the To Save A Life Web site (ToSaveALifeMovie.com/stories) to share their response to the film. And just under 160,000 have created an active community on the To Save A Life Facebook page sharing their compelling and often heartbreaking personal stories, and supporting each other as they navigate the challenges of life.

Topically, the film fearlessly tackles a number of subjects that teens confront on a daily basis, including depression, suicide, bullying, teen pregnancy, cutting, substance abuse and body image.  High school is a much more challenging place than it was just a few years ago, and teens need help and guidance in navigating these challenges.

Because of this, the teams at Outreach have set an objective of seeing one million lives touched during this week through the hosting of To Save A Life events and movie screenings across America.

The concept is simple. During this week, churches, families, pastors, teachers, coaches, mentors and teens themselves are encouraged to invite their friends to watch To Save A Life with them. The goal is to have the film shown in over 10,000 locations, where every teen in America can see the movie either in a church, home, store, classroom, auditorium or theater.

Afterwards, participants are challenged to go to the next level. It's not enough to just talk about the change you want to see—To Save A Life Week is about action, and viewers are encouraged to be a catalyst for this change. Some students may start a "Lunch Club" to help befriend the lonely kids in their school. Some may start actively inviting new people to their youth group or club meetings. Others may plan events with experts or mentors who can help teens navigate the challenges in their lives. A new school year is never easy for teens in crisis—To Save A Life Week can help ease some of these tensions while providing a solid message of hope for those who are hurting.

To help teens and those who care for them, Outreach has created a series of tools designed to get the process and conversation started, including inspirational books, novels, social media tools, curriculums and topical helps. Several Web sites, including ToSaveALifeLeaders.com, can help leaders looking for ideas and resources. Outreach is dedicated to maintaining the momentum of the To Save A Life movement and inspiring a generation to reach out to hurting and lonely people.  

To Save A Life releases on DVD and Blu-ray August 3 through Sony Pictures Home Entertainment/Affirm Films. To Save A Life is rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements involving teen suicide, teen drinking, some drug content, disturbing images and sexuality.

More information on To Save A Life Week can be found by clicking here: http://www.ToSaveALifeLeaders.com/tsalweek/.

About Outreach, Inc.

Founded in 1996, Outreach, Inc. has quickly grown to become the largest provider of outreach products and services in North America. The company was launched with the mission of empowering Christian churches to reach their communities for Jesus Christ. Products and services are available to empower leaders with cost-effective, proven outreach methods and tools.  In order to better serve the growing needs of the church, Outreach has established several divisions under the umbrella of Outreach, Inc., including Marketing, Films, Publishing, Events, Magazine and Convention.

SOURCE New Song Pictures