Discovery College course helps young people to challenge mental health stigma

The Discovery College is a pilot project, offering courses to young people who are supported by Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). A range of courses were offered last year, including one called Taking Action On Schools for which Heads On secured funding from the Chalkcliffe Trust.

The Taking Action on Schools course involved the young people working with a production company to produce a play, which they then performed at schools in East Sussex. The play, “I am Sam” was a reminder of the high levels of stigma against people with mental health problems that are prevalent in schools and the rest of society. It served to help children in schools see the negative effects of stigma and open up a dialogue in which people felt comfortable talking about mental health.

The concept and script was thought up by the young people themselves, based on their very real personal experiences of facing mental health stigma. Not only was the performance a powerful educational tool for the children it was performed to, but taking part in the process had many benefits for the performers:

“I’ve gained so much confidence. I was really shy. On the course I met people around me who understood me, who I could be myself with and everyone there was lovely. The group has really changed me and if you’d known me before you would never have thought I could get this far. And here I am. I did all the performances with “I am Sam” and it was the best thing I’ve ever done.” – Shannon, 15.

“It’s given me more confidence and made me feel more sociable. I wasn’t expecting it to help but it did, it was good to meet people in a similar situation to me, it makes you feel less alone.” – Josh, 18.