The Call is a powerful documentary that breaks the silence around firefighter mental health, offering an unflinching look at the trauma, PTSD, and suicide crisis facing first responders. Through raw interviews, real-life stories, and behind-the-scenes access to firehouses in New Mexico, the film explores the emotional toll of a profession associated with bravery, but rarely with vulnerability.
Created in collaboration with mental health professionals and firefighter advocacy groups, The Call seeks not only to inform but to ignite change. The documentary calls for increased support, open dialogue, and institutional reform to better protect the mental well-being of those who risk their lives daily for others. The film honors those who are lost while offering help and hope.
The Call began as a simple conversation between two coworkers who discovered a shared passion for documentary storytelling. Charlie English and myself, Laura Boyd Owen, had both long dreamed of making a film that could move people, challenge perceptions, and possibly spark change. One day we looked at each other and asked, “Why not now?”
What followed was the creation of a feature documentary with zero budget, just two filmmakers determined to tell a story that mattered. We were driven by one goal: to shine a light on the silent mental health crisis facing firefighters and first responders — those who are often expected to be heroes, but rarely allowed to be human.
Charlie shot the entire film as a one-man crew, handling cinematography, lighting, and sound during every interview. I focused on story development, interview structure, and post-production, editing the film from start to finish. Together, we pulled in a handful of friends and family to help fill in the gaps. It was a deeply personal journey that expanded our creative skills, and brought us closer as collaborators and friends.
Despite our limited resources, we poured everything we had into The Call. We believed in the message, in the urgency of the issue, and in the power of authentic storytelling. We believe this film can resonate with anyone — because whether or not you wear a uniform, themes of trauma, resilience, and healing are universal.
This project is more than a film to us. It’s our way of giving back, honoring lives lost, and helping others feel seen. We’re proud of what we created and hope The Call finds its audience — not just because we made it, but because the people in it deserve to be heard.