It’s about time – I gave thanks to the people that make this happen – what better way than to SHARE my images and their story. I hope you can SHARE this with young people and help raise awareness and give support.

RB

 

 

Our aim behind the ‘Silent Mind’ project is to engage with young theatre makers aged 16-25 yrs old from disadvantaged backgrounds to create an original theatre piece on Mental Health Prevention. 

According to the Southampton City Better Care Plan 2017-2019. 

Mental health hospital admissions, both for adults and children and young people are high, as is the hospital admission rate for self-harm. Alarmingly, the suicide rate is twice that of the England average, increasing since 2009-11’. 

We wanted to create ‘Silent Mind’ in response to these high statistics in our immediate community, supporting our group and audiences with an informative piece on how to manage mental health issues.

The creative  journey has been incredibly cathartic, our theatre makers have not only explored the transformative world of theatre, but also the importance of wellbeing and mindfulness. 

Michelle Smith (Artistic Director) 

I will never forget our session on ‘Gratitude’…the simplest of gratitudes brought such a warmth and feeling of authenticity into the rehearsal room, this was the defining moment when our group truly connected’. 

Joe Green (17) 

One thing I’d advise to take away from this piece would be to always be grateful to who you have in life. Throughout this process we have done many coping methods and the concept gratitude really makes you realise how much people mean to you.’

Meditation has become a regular fixture and an important part of our creative process, using visualisation to help retrain negative thought patterns and focus on positive mindsets

Affirmations have also been a huge part of our collaborative process into mental health prevention: 

Amara Darbyshire (17) 

‘Don’t be ashamed of your story, it will inspire others’

Amber George (17)

‘Healing isn’t about changing who you are;

Its about changing your relationship to who you are. A fundamental part of that is honouring how you feel.’

Our piece is interactive, allowing our audiences to participate in coping techniques throughout the dramatic action. This new and innovative approach could be life changing for our audiences as we hope to introduce practical techniques for mental health prevention through this highly engaging and powerful piece of theatre. 

Theatre for Life previewed Silent Mind at the Plaza Theatre in Romsey as part of Mental Health Awareness week

REVIEWS 

A powerful, informative outlook on today’s generation of Mental Health and the effects it has on oneself and those surrounding us – phenomenal performance’ 

‘Powerful! From an adult who has BPD and does mindfulness to survive daily – you guys are setting the message across to many’

‘Very informative in a positive way, I feel the performance should be shown in all schools and colleges. It’s all on the rise’

‘Silent Mind is a immersive and clear speaking piece. It took you on a journey that gave you the opportunity to see if from the third person’

‘Really useful to hear options for coping mechanisms for other’s, great awareness for talking about mental health, good to be reminded of wellbeing’ 

We hope Silent Mind not only helps to bring awareness to mental health, but that it also provides some day to day tools in mindfulness and wellbeing that can either be practiced or shared with others to ultimately create the perfect SILENT MIND. 

Our final tour is on the 19th, 20th and 21st June at the Nuffield Theatre City at 2.30 and 7.45 pm

TICKETS: https://www.nstheatres.co.uk/whats-on/silent-mind

Watch our story further on BBC South Today during Mental Health Awareness week (13th-19th May). 

https://vimeo.com/336111713

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