A clip of the Drama on Mental Health (Photo@ School Photography Club-2022)
30th May 2022: As a part of the “Mental Health Awareness Month” (1st May to 31st May) observed in America, a group of volunteers from class VII students under the guidance of the school counselor Mrs. Tsering Chodon la staged well scripted drama in Hermann Gmeiner hall. The event was attended by the chief coordinator of the Mental Health Desk, the Department of Health, CTA Ms. Tsering Yangdol la, the school director, Mr. Tsultrim Dorjee la, the school principal Mrs. Nawang Lhamo la, the headmaster, home mothers, teachers and students above class VI with close to 700 people. The drama revolved around the main character “Rigsang”, his mental health issues, the societies’ lack of awareness about mental health problem, social stigmas etc. All the characters, right from the protagonist Rigsang to his friends, mother, doctor, nurse etc. did their best in portraying their respective roles beautifully, in spite of the fact that many of them were on the stage after a gap of two long years.
The drama group posing with (from left)the school counselor, the principal, the director, the coordinator of the mental health desk and the assistant headmaster (Photo@ School Photography Club-2022)
The main objective of staging the drama was to create awareness on Mental Health issues among children and elders in the school. They also aimed to break the stigma attached to the mental illness and finally to send a strong message to work together for mental health. The Department of Health, CTA especially the mental health desk had been very supportive by providing the necessary financial support for the refreshments, the T-shirts, the book mark, and the multi-coloured pamphlet on Depression which was circulated during the event. The drama debunked many myths related to mental illness such as lack of proper parenting caused mental illness or it’s not okay to talk about one’s mental problem etc. The actors, the teacher and the volunteers received a huge round of applause at the end of the dram. Their month long vigorous practice after class eventually materialized and won the hearts of everyone in the audience. Such was the power of performing art in educating the masses on important issues.
The protagonist Rigsang escorted by his friends (Photo@ School Photography Club-2022)
The program concluded with few messages from the drama group and the vote of thanks from the team. The drama group thanked each and everyone who had helped and supported them in making the drama very successful. Mr. Dorjee la, the assistant headmaster thanked the students and the teacher in-charge for their wonderful hard work and preparations on behalf of all the staff and students. The school extends heartfelt thanks to the Department of Health, CTA and PRM for the fund in making this event successful.
Upper Tibetan Children's Village School 