Turning stigma inside out
Published 13 Jan 2012 16:02
A powerful new drama which tackles the stigma of mental illness has been playing at the Harbour Arts Centre in Irvine during December.
The play was written by Ayr College Acting and Performance students in partnership with the Ayrshire Panel of Reference (service users and carers), supported by the Ayrshire Anti-Stigma Group and funded by 'see me' Scotland.
The HNC and HND students have put together five short acts which powerfully illustrate the experience of what it is like to live with mental illness and the stigma that many people may suffer. The students met with, listened to and worked with service users and carers as well as other organisations to put together the scenes.
It has been a long process to get the play finalised, but it has already been seen in some schools across Ayrshire and at Ayr College and received positive responses and feedback.
Lindsay Thorburn, Lecturer in Performing Arts at Ayr College, commented: "Inside Out has proved itself to be a useful product and an excellent way of educating people in a non-traditional way." The gritty portrayal of living with mental illness and the struggle to challenge the stigma has been supported by NHS Ayrshire & Arran and the Ayrshire Panel of Reference. After the performance a panel of representatives from a range of organisations, including 'see me' Scotland and Choose Life discussed the play and the issues raised by it.
Maggie Dhinsa, Health Promotion Officer for NHS Ayrshire & Arran, added: "We need people to be able to talk about these issues and their experiences, to tackle the misconceptions and myths and support the road to recovery. We must tackle this issue directly and this play is a starting point for an open and honest discussion."
This article appeared in Cumnock Chronicle 13 Jan 12
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