Theatre competition tackles mental health
T
heatre with its unique ability to mirror society and evoke deep emotions has for so long been used as a perfect medium for tackling social issues.
An alarming rise in suicide cases in Malawi among individuals aged 18 to 35 has drawn attention to the mental health struggles that many are silently enduring.
While mental health is a global issue various programmes have been put forward to increase awareness and address the issue.
Depression, anxiety, trauma and substance abuse are universal issues, yet they are barely the topics of everyday conversations.
In a creative response to bring about mental health issues conversations to life, Nyasa Streamz on Saturday launched a youth against suicide theatre competition that gave birth to productions that not only entertained but also shed light on the dark realities of issues like depression and trauma.
Held on August 17, the competition brought together theatre groups around Lilongwe each presenting original plays that delved into the complexities of mental health.
The plays running 30 to 40 minutes each, were raw, emotional and unflinchingly honest in their portrayal of the mental health struggles that many young people face.
The competition, though not highly patronised, was more than just a showcase of talent, it was a call to action., The performances indicated a step towards normalising conversations about mental health, making it clear that these issues should not be faced in isolation.
“Even though we did not have a big audience today, we saw young people pour their hearts into these performances and it was clear that the message was hitting home even to those who took part,” said Boniface Kaunda, director of Nyasa Streamz.
He said that their goal is to make the event annual reaching more regions and communities in Malawi where people can come together and talk about these issues.
Kaunda also expressed worry that people appear not to value theatre which has the power to transform minds and change their perspectives on issue.
“We are still lagging behind in terms of supporting the theatre industry. It would be impressive if people took time and patronised such event which aim to address various issues,” he said.
In her words, a mental health practitioner Beatrice Mwase, who addressed the audience, said the competition set as a reminder that mental health is not a taboo subject, but a vital conversation that needs to happen regardless.
“The arts, in this case theatre has the power to reach people at an emotional level that traditional methods often cannot. By allowing the youth to tell their own stories we create a space for empathy and understanding,” she said.
Mwase said apart from educating others, theatre is a coping mechanism for the actors themselves who instead of engaging in things that might corrupt their minds they are focusing on nurturing their creativity.
New Beginning Arts Theatre emerged champions of the competition walking away with an award of best performance and a cash prize of K275 000.
