University of Louisville graduate student Jocelyn Matsuo is dealing with that problem in an unconventional way. She鈥檚 written a play, 鈥淲rong with Me,鈥 to help people learn more about mental illness.
Matsuo, a Los Angeles playwright who is pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in fine arts, spent more than a year researching, writing and directing the production. Five other UofL students are portraying characters in the play.
鈥淚鈥檓 hoping people who see this will learn something about what it鈥檚 like to be depressed or bipolar and how that can affect your life and your relationships,鈥 she said.
Although the play addresses serious themes such as medication and suicide, it also contains plenty of humor, Matsuo said.
鈥淚 think people in the audience will be able to identify with what they鈥檙e seeing on the stage and even have fun.鈥
Matsuo sat in on support group sessions for months and listened to the stories of 鈥渁 lot of people who struggle every day with mental illness鈥 before tackling her script, she said. She also consulted frequently with psychiatrist Gordon Strauss, who helped her keep the drama grounded in fact.
Strauss is a UofL psychiatry and behavioral sciences professor affiliated with UofL鈥檚 Campus Health Services office. He said he hopes the play will encourage people who need help to step forward.
鈥淧eople with mental illness are often reluctant to tell someone when they鈥檙e depressed or have thoughts of suicide,鈥 Strauss said. 鈥淪eeing these things brought to life on an open stage shows that it鈥檚 OK to talk about your feelings.鈥
The Louisville chapter of Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, a peer-support group for people with mood disorders, funded the play and worked closely with Matsuo on its development, said chapter president Michael Kuhl.
鈥淲e鈥檙e always trying to educate people about mental health,鈥 Kuhl said. 鈥淲e thought commissioning a play about mental health would engage people in a much more meaningful way than sitting at a six-foot table and handing out brochures.鈥
Matsuo, Strauss and Kuhl will be on hand to chat with members of the audience at 鈥渢alk back鈥 sessions immediately after each performance.
鈥淲rong with Me鈥 is open to the public but is not suitable for young children. Performances are scheduled Feb. 9, 10 and 11 at 8 p.m., in UofL鈥檚 Thrust Theatre, 2314 S. Floyd St. Admission is free and no tickets are required.
