If I Could Tell Myself Something

AKQA Brussels has developed a moving experiment to raise awareness about mental health for the Belgian health insurance, Helan. The project follows Jelle, a 29-year-old who - with the help of a psychological team - gets the chance to speak to his younger self. As someone who once struggled with suicidal thoughts, Jelle shares what the future holds in this emotional documentary, ‘If I Could Tell Myself Something,’ produced with AKA De Mensen.
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​In this four-minute film, we follow Jelle's life story, highlighting the particularly dark times he faced as a teenager. From his parents' contentious divorce to school bullying and low self-esteem, Jelle’s experiences led him into a deep depression that culminated in a suicide attempt. Yet, there was also a pivotal moment: after receiving psychiatric care and support from those around him, he now looks forward to life with renewed hope.

A conversation with his younger self

What wisdom would Jelle share with his younger self? Helan and AKQA Brussels made this unique interaction possible. Inspired by a therapeutic technique that encourages individuals to write letters to their younger selves, the project was brought to life in a visually striking way. Jelle came face to face with a life-sized, lifelike artificial version of himself, created by the design studio Uncanny using numerous childhood photos. During filming, a team of specialists ensured that Jelle's teenage counterpart could respond to his current self’s reflections.

Following an intensive preparatory phase guided by psychologist Sarah Van Pelt, Jelle's story was captured with remarkable intimacy by AKA De Mensen and director Tom Willems. The result is an emotional yet hopeful documentary that seeks to provide support for individuals facing mental challenges.
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​Mental health week

This initiative forms part of a broader approach by Helan, which aims not only to facilitate discussions around mental pain but also to offer targeted assistance. The platform helan.be/jelle provides resources and advice for both individuals struggling with mental health issues and their loved ones. Additionally, Helan calls on policymakers to prioritize mental health concerns. “We urge the government to continue promoting the discussion and prevention of mental health issues, as well as improve access to mental health care,” states Helan.