Me, Myself and Mind
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Me, Myself and Mind is a 35 minute performance comprising 10 individual scenes.
Each of the ten scenes is accompanied by a pdf with a lesson plan and teaching resources.
Overview of contents
Me, Myself and Mind is a 34 minute performance by six, senior members of Byron Youth Theatre.
It contains ten short scenes which explore different mental health issues.
Recommended viewing age is 14+
The content has the potential to trigger anyone experiencing mental health issues and we advise teachers to check all materials before sharing with their students and be ready to support any student who may need help.
These scenes were devised BY young people FOR young people in an extensive research and development process created by Byron Youth Theatre.
The content of each scene is outlined below.
SCENE 1 – OPENING
A short spoken word vignette introducing prominent questions we all face concerning our mental health as well as some simple actions which can assist us. It reminds the viewer that we can all benefit from support and awareness.
SCENE 2 – PROBLEMS R US
This dark comedy scene was created to put a spin on some facts and figures concerning mental health issues in Australia experienced by young people. Presented as a fictitious TV show, Problems R US depicts the TV host and crew assisting a young man who is feeling out of place because he has no problems at all.
SCENE 3 – YOUR HANDS, MY HANDS
A powerful slam poem written by Ebony Webb, an original cast member ( 2014) that delves deeply into the psychological mindframe of a person dealing with a range of mental health issues that originate from childhood experiences. It covers the mental health issues of depression, anxiety, non suicidal self harm and low self esteem. It is written as self reflective acknowledgement of all that has been experienced and a loving pledge of support to oneself.
SCENE 4 – WE PLANNED TO TRAVEL
Created in 2020 during lockdown this scene follows three young people from completing their HSC to realising their plans to travel have been ruined due to pandemic.
SCENE 5 – MONKEY ON YOUR BACK
A physical scene depicting self loathing as a real character sabotaging a person’s attempts to remain positive and free from anxiety.
SCENE 6 – BLANK CANVAS
Created during the lockdown of 2020 when Director Lisa Apostolides invited all 14 BYT cast members to share their thoughts and feelings about the current pandemic leading into the development of their How on Earth Part 1 production. Blank canvas is based on a talented artist’s experiences during this time.
SCENE 7 – PARENT TRAP
This scene depicts a young person dealing with her parents who seem unaware of the current issues of climate change.
SCENE 8 – HIR POEM
Written by Alysia Harris and Aysha El Shamaley for Brave New Voices this slam poem exposes some of the issues faced by a young transgender person.
SCENE 9 – CONTAINER
A young couple struggle with the challenges of the current changes in the world.
SCENE 10 – ENDING
Cast members share some of their personal strategies to maintain positive mental health
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The Byron Youth Theatre (BYT) gave a stunning performance at the Youth Health Conference, held at Surfers Paradise 7-9th November 2018. An audience of over 200 health professionals from around Australia were held in thrall as this talented group of young people portrayed - through choreographed drama and dance - an entire gamut of issues related to adolescent sexual and reproductive health. With authenticity, subtle humour and no holds barred, they made a thought-provoking contribution to a professional event that will be long remembered.
Clinical Professor David Bennett AO Senior Staff Specialist in Adolescent Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospital Network Member, Child and Family Advisory Council, NSW Health
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Our task is to educate their (our students) whole being so they can face the future. We may not see the future, but they will and our job is to help them make something of it.
Sir Ken Robinson
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Entertaining and compelling! A must-see for anyone wanting to create a better future for our young people.
Me, Myself and Mind is a powerful performance from Byron Youth Theatre that graphically portrays the mental health challenges young people face in navigating the journey of adolescence in a world beset by the crises of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.
It is a timely and significant performance given that Professor Patrick McGorry, Australia’s leading youth Psychiatrist has just described the deepening mental health crisis arising from COVID-19, especially among young people, as the “shadow pandemic”. Mental health problems affect more than 1 in 4 young people. A 2020 national survey conducted by Headspace found that a third of young Australians reported high or very high levels of distress.
Through a series of riveting and engaging scenes, the young actors graphically portray the doubts, emotional uncertainty and confusion that beset young people in terms of their developing identity, relationships, body image and sexuality. It underscores the sense of loneliness, alienation and despair that so many young people experience which is unfortunately linked to the disturbing fact that suicide is the leading cause of death among Australians aged 15–24 years (Australian Institute of Health & Welfare).
It is also a stinging rebuke of our health and social systems which all too often fail to adequately recognize and respond to young peoples’ needs.
Ultimately though, the performance provides a message of hope and inspiration as the actors poignantly convey the importance of connection, understanding, empathy and emotional support as pathways to wellbeing.
Peter Chown. Psychologist.
Consultant, NSW Centre for the Advancement of Adolescent Health
Specialist Trainer, Headspace
Ambassador, Uplifting Australia
Peter Chown. Psychologist.