THEATRE OF OPPRESSED:
Against Stigma and Discrimination

The need for a social change in support of persons with mental illnesses was so high that members of Nidahas Chinthana Sansadaya decided to develop a drama to educate the community in August 2008. Months passed.... one by one. At every meeting they queried the possibility of implementing this idea. The list of those who would like to participate was prepared. Some came forward to write the script. Yet, for them it was a dream; a dream that never comes true until November 2008.

On the 13th of November 20 members who have experience mental illnesses, gathered at Navajeevana training centre to participate at a seven-day drama workshop.

Their hands were stiff and so were mine. Their voices were rough. So was mine. Many haven't got any experience in acting, singing, or dancing. But their determination was so strong that made them highly confident.

On the seventh day, they performed with confidence and pride for being able to develop three skits based on their true life stories and problems they faced during the times of experiencing mental illnesses. Interestingly, they fit in with three popular themes in Mental Health Promotion: Stigma and Discrimination; Alcoholism and Suicides.

Surprisingly, even before we finished our workshop there were invitations for performing in Tangalle. December was the month these budding artists practiced their dramas in real situation. On 28th of November they did their first public performance at Navajeevana, who decided to take them to perform at the Disability Day Celebrations. At the dawn of the new year, these theatre group went to the original village (where BasicNeeds' Community Mental Health and Development programme started), and had a community level performance. They got many of the community members to react and act, changing the places which need to be corrected.
On Women's Day (8th of March 2009) it was the Police Department in Tangalle invited them to perform, one of the dramas, on stigma and discrimination. They performed at the town hall, and their performance made them stunned.

The great day was 17th March 2009.

In collaboration with the Mental Health Department of the Ministry of Health, BasicNeeds, VSO-UK and Laymen's Den PLC this theatre group of Nidahas Chinthana Sansadaya (Action Forum of Consumers of Mental Health), organised their first National Event - Theatre of Oppressed. The drama continued with more than 200 professionals from both Health and Development sectors watching. End of the drama, began the forum. It was the first time in Sri Lanka we saw medical professionals, media experts, development practitioners stepped on to the stage to perform. They were so keen to change the characters of the drama, to stop its tragic end.

It was great... very sensitive to watch... Wonderful method to change people's attitudes... and get rid of myths about mental illnesses, said the audience.

Uniqueness of this Forum Theatre is that, all the performers in the drama were either experiencing mental illnesses or an affected carer.

Artists:
Mentally ill person: Dharmalatha
Virtual Friend: Chintha [illustrating Delusions and Hallucinations]
Drunken Husband: Omesh
Mother-in-law: Wimala
Neighbours: Malkanthi, Sumana
Policeman: Rohan
Patients in the mental hospital: Jayantha, Sriyani, Maryhamy, Nikulus, Thushara, Rajika
Doctor: Piyaseeli