CJMY
The Actors Studio will present a production titled “Life Sdn Bhd: Mental Health” to raise mental health awareness next month.
The production will take place from September 9 to September 11 at klpac.
Meanwhile, the art therapy workshop titled “When Words Are Not Enough”will take place on September 17 and 18.
“Mental health has been making such a big impact – affecting even more people, particularly with the uncertainties and challenges brought on by the pandemic though many struggles alone or privately.
“Back in March, when we opened up the call for mental health stories for the upcoming edition of Life Sdn Bhd, people came forward to share their anxieties on how they felt and what they were and are going through.
“It is a disturbing, heart-wrenching and bitter reality.
“This is something we have to talk about and face head-on, something we can no longer afford to ignore,” said the director of “Life Sdn Bhd: Mental Health” Dato’ Dr Faridah Merican.
The mental health situation has become dire.
In 2022, The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) reported an estimated one in eight people lived with a mental disorder before the pandemic in 2019.
Since then, the situation is becoming direr as the global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by 25% in the first year the pandemic hit us.
The World Federation of Mental Health is pushing the agenda to “Make Mental Health & Well-Being for All a Global Priority” in line with World Mental Health Day 2022.
World Mental Health Day falls on October 10, every year.
Life Sdn Bhd Production
Life Sdn Bhd was The Actors Studio’s first show in 2004 after the floods at Plaza Putra, Dataran Merdeka.
Since then, the production has showcased real stories by real people.
The stories shared are on breast cancer, refugees, abuse, people living with HIV, human trafficking, voices of the young and, most recently, differences.
The bravery of each storyteller inspires the audience every year.
This year will be no exception as they do their bit to end the stigma on mental health struggles by sharing their personal stories and journey.
“Life Sdn Bhd: Mental Health” will feature seven brave storytellersAdeline Ong, Elena Tong, Jaime Pang, Nana Mazlan, Teddy, Vio, and Zen Lin Tan.
Mental health struggles are not very obvious to another person as they fall into the category of invisible illnesses where the symptoms are not always visible.
That is why it is essential to have sharing sessions like this and increase education and awareness.
There will be a post-show Q&A session with Ms Pang Chia Yee after each performance.
Chia Yee is a Lecturer of Bachelor of Psychology at Taylor’s University and highly passionate about mental well-being.
Just last year, she ran a workshop where she shared with the participants how to recognise someone who may be going through mental stress, how to reach out and some helpful tips and practices.
Art Therapy Workshop and Exploration
The Actors Studio Academy @ klpac will offer an art therapy workshop and exploration entitled “When Words Are Not Enough” at klpac, the following week.
There will be different sessions for children aged 7 to 12, teens aged 13 to 17 and adults aged 18 and above.
Art Therapy engages the mind, body and spirit in ways distinct from verbal articulation alone.
Children will be drawing their stories to express their emotions.
At the same time, teenagers and adults will explore the idea of coping with changes through art therapy, utilising art materials for exploration.
Yap Mei Yee and Tiffany Ting Yu Ling, who have completed the Online Preventive Art Therapy Professional Programme will be conducting the workshop.
The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac) and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture supports “Life Sdn Bhd: Mental Health” production.
The tickets price are as follows.
- RM40 and RM30 (concession)
- RM70 or RM50 – a bundle of two tickets (concession)
Those who are interested can purchase tickets online via this link.
The workshop is free, and participants must pre-register via this link (walk-ins are not permitted).
For media inquiries, please contact the person in charge listed below.
- Maggie Ong @ 0123828583 / [email protected]
- Vishallini Gopal @ 01133939715 / [email protected]
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