News

June 13, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Carol Carrithers, Vice President
Marketing and Communications
502-589-8600(W) or 245-5782 (H)

Local mental health consumers—The Stigma Fighter Players—
present theatrical workshop at international conference
June 11-14 in Toronto

“We are more than our illness, proclaims troupe member”

When Richard Davidson, Judy Janes, Janice Johnson, Elinor Malone and Sally Sheets got on a plane June 11 headed for Toronto, Canada, not only was it a milestone in their recoveries from mental illness, it was a milestone in Kentucky’s fight against the stigma of mental illness and treatment.

Davidson, Janes, Johnson, Malone and Sheets are members of the Stigma Fighter Players, who were invited to perform at the annual conference of the International Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services, June 11-14 in Toronto. The Stigma Fighter Players consist of persons receiving treatment at Seven Counties Services (the community mental health center) who also are members of its Welcome House program in Shelbyville.

Welcome House is a voluntary therapeutic rehabilitation program that Seven Counties sponsors for persons with serious and persistent mental illness, such as schizophrenia, and chronic depression. Members participate in educational, clerical, kitchen, maintenance, business, social and recreational activities. Their progress in the program is measured by reduced hospitalizations, enhanced daily living skills, increased independence, and the ability to secure supported employment in their communities.

Welcome House manager Tom Gardner helped the troupe form four years ago as a way to help consumers of mental health services fight the stigmas of mental illness and as a way to assist the general public in better understanding and accepting the problems associated with mental illness. The Stigma Fighter Players use discussion, role play/psycho drama, creative art illustration and structured group exercise to entertain and educate. The members’ theatrical portrayals detail the importance of community contributions that a person with mental illness can make, and helps those having a mental illness realize strategies they can use to overcome stereotypical thinking.

“We are more than our illness!” proclaims Malone, who is an original member of the Stigma Fighter Players. Sheets, who has been involved with the Stigma Fighter troupe for only one year, reports that since being a troupe member, she now feels empowered and confident. James, who came to Welcome House 18 months ago with a diagnosis of acute depression and panic disorder due to a traumatic car accident, now is actively seeking paid employment and is driving her own car for the first time in several years.

For the last three years, the Mental Health Association of Kentucky has honored the Stigma Fighter Players, Gardner and Sherry Bentley, Welcome House coordinator; for the quality and number of presentations they have conducted for thousands of people, including mental health professionals, teachers, other mental health consumers, and the general public. With Gardner and Bentley’s help, the troupe has fundraised almost all of the $6,000 needed for the trip. Money has come from bake and crafts sales (members made and sold more than 100 dozen cookies!) and donations from individuals and groups such as Seven Counties’ board and staff members, local churches, the Ky. Psychiatric Assn., the Mental Health Assn. of Northern Ky., Ky. Consumer Advocate Network (KYCAN), the statewide consumer organization; Caritas Health Services, and the Ky. Dept. for Mental Health/Mental Retardation Services.

“The state of Kentucky is fortunate to have representatives such as The Stigma Fighter Players to help demonstrate the influence that each person can have in reducing the stigma of mental illness,” says Ky. Dept. for Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services Commissioner Margaret Pennington. “Their presentation and interactive presence at this extraordinary international conference will bring honor and recognition not only to Seven Counties Services but to consumers and providers of community mental health throughout the state.”

For more information or to schedule the Stigma Fighter Players for a civic or professional group, contact Gardner at (502) 633-9768.