The Emmys go to…MSU’s psychology department!

STARKVILLE, Miss.— Two Mississippi State University psychology faculty members again won numerous Emmy Awards at the 2024 Southeast Emmy Awards in Atlanta, Georgia, this spring for their film series about suicide prevention, marking the second year in a row the duo has brought home prestigious Emmy Awards.

Psychology Professor Michael R. Nadorff, director of MSU’s Clinical Ph.D. Program, and Associate Clinical Professor Emily S. H. Stafford, director of MSU’s Psychology Clinic, serve as co-principal investigators of a nearly $2 million grant to create a film series investigating the causes and impacts of youth suicide in Mississippi.

Funding was awarded from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration—provided to the Mississippi Department of Mental Health as a Garrett Lee Smith grant—to produce “Decision Point: Mental Health and Youth Suicide in Mississippi.” The series is aimed at preventing suicide, and the collaborative effort plans to produce three or four videos in the series.  

“I’m honored to be involved with this project and highlight mental health stories in creative ways. The folks sharing their stories are absolutely making a positive difference in the state bringing this issue into focus. Mental health challenges are everyday issues faced by everyday Mississippians. My hope is someone watching the series will know they are not alone and feel more connected to their community,” said Stafford, who along with Nadorff served as associate producers of the films “Mariah” and “The Stuff of Nightmares.”

In partnership with MSU’s University Television Center, the film series is produced by Senior Documentary and Special Projects Producer James Parker; UTC Director David Garraway; Creative Manager Hal Teasler; and Video Producer Olivia Aylsworth. 

The MSU contingency won Emmys for the following:

 Children/Youth/Teen Short Form Content: The Stuff of Nightmares (Hal Teaser, James Parker) 

Director – Short Form Content: Hal Teaser (The Stuff of Nightmares)

Director – Long Form Content: James Parker (Mariah)

Audio – Post Production: David Garraway (The Stuff of Nightmares)

Graphic Arts – Motion Graphics: Hal Teaser (The Stuff of Nightmares)

Last year, the first video in the series, “Justin,” won outstanding achievement in the category of Documentary – Topical. 

To view the films, click here.

To learn more about the Department of Psychology’s suicide prevention services, call 662-325-0621. 

For more details about the College of Arts and Sciences or Department of Psychology, visit www.cas.msstate.edu and www.psychology.msstate.edu.

Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.