Mentally Sound is a program for ages 13-18, that features high-energy 1 Hour performances.
What Is “Mentally Sound”?
Three outstanding vocalists make up the cast of
Mentally Sound's dynamic and engaging Mental Health program, which is presented as an exhilarating pop-rock "interactive concert." These one-hour shows, geared toward audiences aged 13 to 18, address important issues related to mental health. The students are introduced to our team through the dazzling opening number, and throughout the show, each performer takes centre stage to discover their own personal struggles alongside their captive audience. The song pulls the audience in, and the interactive discussions drill home the information before the concert continues. The show educates students that we all have mental health, that it can be fragile, and must be managed carefully. The program also raises awareness of prevalent mental health issues by covering issues including depression, anxiety, body image, self-esteem, and suicide.
A Musical Show?
This is not some cheesy, childish musical performance. The topics are addressed meaningfully and sensitively, with an injection of comedy, an original catchy pop/rock score, and hard-hitting messages for the students to take away.
The most influential people in a teenager's life are the singers and artists they respect and look up to. The vocalists on the
Mentally Sound performing team are among the best in the nation and are youthful, energetic professionals. We know that in order to engage your students we need to build rapport, gain their respect, and win their favour - a strategy that Action Education has proven to be extraordinarily effective in classrooms all around Australia.
SUCCESSFUL EDUCATION = GREAT CONTENT + SOLID ENGAGEMENT, AND WE HAVE THAT IN SPADES.
Topic We Address
Everybody Has Mental Health
Mentally Health is just as important as Physical Health, but we don’t treat them the same way. The first dominant message we bring to the kids is to remove any expectation that Mental Health is only about mental illnesses. The importance of taking care of your individual mental health, and the impact that different stresses can have upon all of our fluctuating mental states are something everybody needs to take as seriously as their physical health.
Self Esteem & Body Image
Self Esteem and our individual mental health are inextricably linked. This is of the most dominant issues facing teenagers today, and body image is one of the primary stresses that impact self-esteem. Through a big pop/rap number called ‘Extrovert’, we dive into the self-worth and body-shaming issues facing one of the primary characters. By showing that even somebody seemingly happy can have struggles we can’t see on the inside, we encourage students to look out for their friends beyond what they see on the surface.
Anxiety
Anxiety, and anxious feelings, are perpetually misunderstood and can drive a wedge in relationships when they’re not understood correctly. Through an insightful comedic number called ‘Anxiety Girl!’, the students hear first-hand the experiences of somebody who suffers from Anxiety, and what a panic attack feels like. We show how severe the overall mental health impact can be for those who are suffering when their peers don’t understand the behaviour linked to anxious feelings.
Depression & Suicide
The topic of depression and suicide is addressed sensitively and thoughtfully through the eyes of Andy, who struggles with bottling his emotions due to social pressures to appear masculine. Through his rock song ‘Man Up’, we see his decline as the pressure builds for him. At his lowest point, we see what actions those around him could take to help. A big rock finish with an equally powerful message ensures that the students leave the performance with a renewed look about the expectations they place on their peers.
Empathy (We All Experience The World Differently)
We help the students to gain an understanding of what a mental health disorder can feel like, and the impacts it can have on your life, by firstly establishing that different people experience and interpret situations entirely different from each other. For someone with a mental health condition, there’s not always a rational reason for a certain feeling, which can be a difficult idea to grasp. We can help students instead to relate it to feelings they will understand, to give them a stronger idea of the difficulty others face.
Looking Out For Each Other
Whether it be normalising and encouraging our friends to seek professional help, or understanding tactics that can be used when you or a friend is having a mental health struggle, we can empower students to help each other on a social level. Each scene instils awareness of the signs and triggers they may need to look out for and teaches tactics they can employ if they ever need it.
You guys have been asking for a Mental Health program, and we will be launching our biggest show yet on World Mental Health Day 2022 (Oct 10th)! This time, instead of
acrobats, we're featuring kickass singers with an impressive (and original) pop/rock score in this exciting 'Interactive Concert'! Follow
@mentallysoundshow to see more, and visit our website for a sneak peek at the show! https://www.actioneducation.edu.au/ https://www.actioneducation.edu.au/mentally-sound/
1300 993 225 [email protected]
