CNHLC – Mental Health Awareness

9 April 2012

 

DSC_9816Playback Theatre re-enacts real stories from the audience. Its ritual structure, and guided facilitation creates a safe space for people to meet each other through telling real stories around mental health issues.
DSC_7338By bringing together people who are both affected by these issues and those who may be ignorant and prejudiced, playback theatre creates a powerful forum for generating empathy and understanding through witness and sharing of real stories.

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The Chinese National Healthy Living Centre invited True Heart Theatre to run a Workshop/Performance at the conclusion of its Westminster Council-funded project on developing mental health awareness in London’s Chinese community.

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We began with a workshop to create a sense of ease and playfulness across the generations.

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Then followed a performance of Playback Theatre  DSC_9789

where many stories were told of isolation, misunderstanding, depression,

particularly in the early days of arriving in London as a new immigrant.DSC_7299

DSC_7331DSC_7307Those who live with mental health challenges gave testimony of their day to day struggle

DSC_7266as well as

stories of support and recovery. DSC_7259

 

 

 

 

There is still very little understanding and acceptance of mental issues amongst members of the Chinese community.

DSC_9788DSC_7333This afternoon was an opportunity for young and old, across generations, to witness and some to talk openly and share candidly about their experiences of emotional and mental instability – as well as having these feelings collectively acknowledged and normalised.

This event was conducted in English and Cantonese.