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The Low Road - A transformational journey of hope

*Content warning - please note this blog discusses suicide and self-harm. Available support services are listed at the end.*

This week, staff members at EmilyTest attended a screening of The Low Road at the University of Strathclyde. The fictional film delves into the often-hidden toll that the mental health crisis is taking on young adults, portraying a raw and emotional journey of grief, trauma and resilience.

The film follows Ellie, a young woman who is broken by the loss of her best friend to suicide. Overcome with guilt and heartbreak, she retreats into the Scottish wilderness, seeking distance from a world that feels too painful to face. As she isolates herself, Ellie is forced to confront the misogyny that has scarred her and the internal battles of her own mental health. Her journey is both harrowing and hopeful, a deeply human story of trying to find meaning and strength in the aftermath of unimaginable loss.

The motivation behind The Low Road is to give voice to the countless number of people around the world who are silently struggling with suicidal thoughts or self-harm.

According to the World Health Organisation, over 720,000 people die by suicide each year. Papyrus reports that in the UK, suicide is the leading cause of death among young people under 35. These statistics are staggering – but they only scratch the surface of the emotional devastation that is left in suicide’s wake.

The ripple effect of suicide extends far beyond the individual, impacting the lives of family, friends, and entire communities. The grief that follows lasts for lifetimes, altering relationships, mental health and even physical wellbeing. This underscores the urgent need for open conversations, effective preventions strategies, and compassionate support for those in crisis – as well as those grieving immense loss.

The Low Road is an incredibly moving piece of storytelling that brings these issues into focus with sensitivity and authenticity. By weaving lived experience into fiction, the film challenges stigma and invites its audience to engage more deeply with the realities of mental health, suicide and recovery.

We believe this film holds real potential as a tool for awareness raising and education. EmilyTest encourages institutions to consider implementing The Low Road as part of their wellbeing initiatives for both students and staff. Given that suicide remains the leading cause of death among young people, it’s vital that we continue prioritising mental health support within academic settings.

A story told with this kind of honesty and impact can spark vital conversations, offer comfort to those who are struggling, and even save lives. If a film like this was shown when Emily was at university, it could have had the power to change the end of her story.

Let’s keep the conversation going, supporting one another and working towards a future where no one has to suffer in silence.

To learn more about the film and how you can get involved, please click here.

For available support for your mental health and wellbeing, please click here.

“This is a remarkable film. Deeply moving and impactful. Life affirming. This film will save lives” 

John Gibson 

The Canmore Trust