What Is Stepping Stone Theatre for Mental Health?

Through creative endeavours such as theatre, singing, writing, storytelling; we offer companionship and a sense of inclusion, for people living with long term mental health issues and challenges. We run online creative projects, such as pod casts, on line live interactive sessions and writing groups.

We offer a weekly walking group in which we encourage people to take gentle exercise and to disclose and talk about things which may be affecting their mental health.

Members share their issues with us and each other and in this way they are promoting good mental health and helping each other and themselves. This intervention means problems are solved before they get to crisis levels; grass roots, creative peer support.

Aims are to destigmatize mental illness regardless of personal history and background, and create a more compassionate community. Stigma is the number one reason why people do not often seek professional help and support. By making mental illness less ‘scary’ and more acceptable we are encouraging people to get help quickly and reduce the episodes that can reach crisis or even suicide.





"A SMILE IS A CURVE THAT WILL STRAIGHTEN OUT MANY THINGS"

All the members have what they call, “a sense of purpose”. And some have even said, (and we get very emotional by this), “Being part of Stepping Stone Theatre for Mental Health has saved my life”. Lives have been saved and attitudes towards mental illness have evolved.

As well as the practical side of Stepping Stone, We offer companionship and a sense of inclusion. Members share their issues with each other and in this way they are promoting good mental health and helping each other and themselves. This intervention means some problems are solved before they get to crisis levels. We don’t just disclose, we, as a group, offer practical solutions. Our group is fast becoming its own support network, as we meet on a regular basis out of the sessions, to go for coffee or a meal at someone’s house to discuss our next creative endeavour. It is peer support at a lived experience, grass roots level. Making theatre together is a deeply cathartic experience and the aim; to enhance wellbeing through creativity as theatre was created to tell the truth about life.


"Mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing cognition, perception, and behaviour. It likewise determines how an individual handles stress, interpersonal relationships, and decision-making" 

Debunking myths about mental illness

  • Myth - Mental health problems don't affect me

    • One in four  adults experienced a mental health issue
    • One in six young people experienced a major depressive episode
    • One in 20  lived with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression

  • Myth: Children don't experience mental health problems.

    Fact: Even very young children may show early warning signs of mental health concerns. These mental health problems are often clinically diagnosable, and can be a product of the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.


    Half of all mental health disorders show first signs before a person turns 14 years old, and three-quarters of mental health disorders begin before age 24.

  • Myth: People with mental health needs, even those who are managing their mental illness, cannot tolerate the stress of holding down a job.

    Fact: People with mental health problems are just as productive as other employees. Employers who hire people with mental health problems report good attendance and punctuality as well as motivation, good work, and job tenure on par with or greater than other employees.

  • Myth: There is no hope for people with mental health problems. Once a friend or family member develops mental health problems, he or she will never recover.

    Fact: Studies show that people with mental health problems get better and many recover completely. Recovery refers to the process in which people are able to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities. There are more treatments, services, and community support systems than ever before, and they work.

"STOP THE STIGMA - STOP THE SILENCE"

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