‘So U think I’m CraZy’ at Maudsley Hospital

Ekanem Himes wrote and directed the play. Pic: Jazmin Kopotsha

Ekanem Himes wrote and directed the play. Pic: Jazmin Kopotsha

A new play by a Croydon woman about the challenges of treating mental health patients is to be performed at the Maudsley Hospital tonight

Written and directed by Ekanem Hines, a mother of four and a mental health carer, ‘So U think I’m CraZy’ is described as ‘a powerful therapeutic theatrical performance about dealing with the challenges of mental health and the impact this has on the individual as well as family.’

The play, which has already been performed at other venues around south London, will be staged at The Ortus Learning & Events Centre at the hospital by a cast of volunteer actors.

In an exclusive interview for East London Lines, Hines said: “[Mental health] has a lot of discrimination and a lot of stigma attached to it. People will see themselves in that play. It’s hard hitting, and that’s exactly how I want it.”

The development of ‘So U Think I’m CraZy’ started with Hines’ experience as a professional working with mental health, and was reinforced by having a family member who became unwell.  She also decided that the voices of carers for mental health patients were not being adequately heard

The narrative follows the young black male and his journey through the psychiatric system. “So I thought if I’m going to write a play, it should be on what are the impact of social issues that can affect you […] So it’s things like stop and search, it’s things like domestic violence, it’s things like sexual abuse, it’s things like bereavement.”

The decision to direct the narrative through the eyes of a young black male holds deep personal roots for Hines, that date back to her experience studying for her social work qualifcation at Croydon College. She felt that social work training did not adequately reflect the black experience and that the process suffered from institutional racism.

The play is being staged to mark both World Mental Health Day and Black History Month. Tickets are £5. More details are here.

By Jazmin Kopotsha

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