Make Plays Change Lives
Annual Report 19/20
Hidden
Feedback • 9 4% of teachers agreed or strongly agreed with the statement 'Our students have gained further knowledge on the issues raised in Hidden as a result of seeing the production.’ •A fter seeing the play 82% of students felt they did understand what mental health and self-harm were and where they could get help “I felt happy that the people in the play showed this to us because it really connected with me and what has happened to me in the past such as self harm and mental health such as depression. Thank you for showing this to our school. Thank you.”
Why? • Threefold increase in the number of young people self harming in UK (World Health Organisation – WHO). • One in five 15-year-olds saying they self-harm – NHS reporting a rise of 30% in the number of children (between 10 and 14) being treated by the NHS as a result of self-harm. • Local teachers tell us that mental health and self-harm is a high priority issue in their schools.
“I loved the play so much, I wish it wouldn't end because the actors were really good and it brought an important message to the school and the pupils in it. …I would, a million percent, recommend you to as many people as possible because I loved the experience so much and I wish that other people could have the same experience while learning about problems that don't get touched on in class.”
What? Hidden is a play for year 8+ about self-worth, mental health and self-harm. When Sophia, Matt and Tash meet at a music festival, they are three very different teenagers. They go to different schools, have different friendship groups and have led very different lives. However, they all have the same problem – they use self-harm as a way to cope with their feelings. Sophia feels stifled by boarding school life, has a poor body image and feels out of control. Matt is consumed with anxiety about his impending GCSE exams. Tash is haunted by memories of a traumatic childhood and feels like the world would be a better place without her. When her only friend suddenly disappears, her self-harming behaviour gets out of control. Hidden tells the story of the recovery of three very different teenagers as they struggle with mental health problems and self-harming behaviour.
How? The play and teachers’ pack: • Explains what self-harm is and what can trigger people to self-harm. • Debunks some of the unhelpful myths surrounding self-harm. • Helps young people to find alternative and healthier ways to manage their emotions. • Empowers people to be a good friend to someone they suspect is harming themselves. • Enables people to get help if they or someone they know is self-harming.
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