Waiting Room Theatre gives voice to the struggles and strength of persons with mental illness

Service users at SCARF, a mental health institution, participate in Waiting Room Theatre, a unique initiative where they stage performances for fellow service users and caregivers to raise awareness and challenge misconceptions about mental health.
| Photo Credit: M. VEDHAN

It’s an ordinary Friday morning at the Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), a mental health institution, and the patients — referred to as “service users” by the organisation — are gathered in the waiting hall of the outpatient block.

An unassuming group moves forward and clears some chairs; the “stage” is set. They inform the patients that a short drama will soon be performed to raise awareness on mental health, and the audience can choose the theme.

Sheets are handed out, listing 16 themes, such as involving individuals with mental illness in decision-making, managing medication side-effects, discussing marriage in the lives of patients with mental illness, and encouraging respect for those with mental health issues in homes, workplaces, and society.

While some in the audience choose not to participate, no one is pressured. After the themes are selected, the group collects the forms, and moves on to discuss the scenes.

The group of performers, SCARF service users themselves, belong to a unique initiative called ‘Waiting Room Theatre.’ It is part of the PIECEs project funded by the UK government’s National Institute of Healthcare and Research.

The programme uses the Theatre of the Oppressed methodology to perform skits to spark dialogue and dispel misconceptions about mental health issues. Two dozen service users were trained by Sanjay Ganguly, a practitioner and teacher of the methodology.

After about 30 minutes of discussion, the play unfolds. In the first scene, a service user asks a family member for tea, only to be given coffee instead. In the second, she is given a new dress in a colour she dislikes. In both scenarios, she is expected to accept what is offered without questioning, as she is told she is “simply sitting at home” and “of no use.”

They perform using the forum theatre technique, which encourages and empowers spectators to find solutions by becoming ‘actors’ who intervene in the scene.

As the play concludes, P. Manikandan — a social worker and research assistant at SCARF — who assists the performers, asks the audience what they would change about the scenes. When prompted to enact a role, Vijaya, a caregiver who had brought her daughter for treatment, steps onto the stage and speaks soothingly to the character.

Another audience member, Sara, a person receiving treatment, then portrays the role of someone with a mental illness. She confidently stands her ground when her choices are dismissed. Afterwards, she says: “Words [said to persons with illness] are very important. They hurt.”

Mr. Manikandan says that over the two years since the launch of the Waiting Room Theatre, many caregivers and patients have gained a deeper understanding of mental illness. “After watching the play, some caregivers realised it’s okay for individuals with mental illness to work if their treatment is managed well. Some may have tried this before and given up, but the play has given them renewed confidence.”

For Prathiba, one of the drama artists, performing has become a source of joy. “I used to be very shy in front of people, but now I enjoy being on stage,” she says. She adds that raising awareness about mental illness through her performances brings her great happiness.

R. Mangala, Assistant Director at SCARF, says that the forum theatre method used has been effective, and that it allowed individuals with mental illness to discuss issues they were not able to share before. This was particularly evident when participants felt a sense of solidarity after seeing the characters go through similar struggles, she says.

Recalling an instance where a service user played the role of her father, while the father, sitting in the audience, portrayed her role, Dr. Mangala says afterward, both expressed that they then understood the source of many arguments at home.

For individuals with mental illness, the play provided an opportunity to voice their feelings. Dr. Mangala also recounts how, after one of the first performances, a family member approached her, saying that the play offered a ray of hope, seeing that their loved one, who had participated, was capable of doing well.