This animation is part of a trilogy of films created for NES, the education and training body of NHS Scotland. The goal was to deliver the key commitments set out in Scotland’s suicide preventions action plan – Every Life Matters.

The animation was to be delivered to a broad audience, so it was important the script avoided jargon and technical terms, focussing on straightforward engaging language.

Speakeasy used key statistics throughout the animation to stress the seriousness of the issue, motivating people to take action. Information was provided at the end of the film to signpost people to the right services. The watercolour animation technique was chosen because it is both visually engaging whilst remaining sensitive to the tone of the film.