Hamilton, Ohio – Art reflects life. And life can be – for lack of a better term – a little bit crazy.
Stop the Stigma Productions brings its acclaimed She’s Crazy: Mental Health and Other Myths production to the Fitton Center for Creative Arts for two performances Tuesday, October 22, in conjunction with Envision Partnerships, Miami University Regionals and Prevention Action Alliance.
“Transitioning into adulthood can be a stressful time in one’s life,” said Dr. Dee Kinney, assistant professor in the Department of Education and Society at Miami University Regionals. “This is especially true for young adults managing the challenges of attending college.
“Miami Regionals is committed to decreasing the stigma surrounding mental health, encouraging students to talk about it and seeking help when needed. The National College Health Assessment consistently demonstrates that mental health is one of the top three factors that have a negative impact on a college student’s academic success.”
In addition to FREE 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. shows, there will be a panel discussion featuring Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services Director LeeAnn Cornyn from 5 to 6 p.m. Resource tables and refreshments will be available in the lobby and Monument Gallery adjacent to the theater from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. between performances.
“We invite everyone to learn from local people about their experiences with mental illness and suicide loss,” said Kristen Smith, Envision Partnerships Manager of Mental Health Promotion and Butler County Suicide Prevention Coalition Chair.
“We will share communitywide approaches to improving mental health and preventing suicide. We hope through open dialogue, attendees may discover an avenue to join the vital efforts for stopping the stigma in our area.”
While the performances and panel discussion are free, registration is required. Click here to get tickets.
Described as “musical theater edutainment,” She’s Crazy educates, uplifts and inspires audiences to rethink the stigma surrounding mental illness and addiction.
Performer, writer and educator Sherry McCamley and former Xavier University Theater Department Chair Cathy Springfield teamed to develop the show in 2014. They began performing it in 2015. McCamley wrote music and lyrics for seven songs to make the potentially daunting subject matter both accessible and entertaining.
The pair later added Erin McCamley – Sherry’s daughter – to the cast. Erin brought her own stories and music as the show expanded. In the ensuing decade since its inception, their true stories of dealing with mental health and addiction issues opened countless doors for discussions and have given people pathways to find help for their problems.
“When we talk about building community excellence through arts and culture, this is exactly the kind of thing we mean,” said Fitton Center Executive Director Ian MacKenzie-Thurley. “There are so many people dealing with mental health problems, but we don’t like to talk about them.
“She’s Crazy gives people an easy access point into what could otherwise be a difficult topic to discuss. We’re proud to work with our friends at Envision Partnerships, Miami Regionals and Prevention Action Alliance to help keep the conversation going for our audiences in Hamilton and throughout Butler County.”
The Fitton Center for Creative Arts is located at 101 S. Monument Avenue on the Riverfront in downtown Hamilton, Ohio.
Building Community Excellence through the Arts and Culture
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