If the last two years have reminded us of anything, it’s that human connection is
truly vital.
“Now, more than ever before, we need to feel connected,” says Dr. Kristin Kosyluk,
Associate Professor in the Department of Mental Health Law and Policy (MHLP). Kosyluk
is also the lead evaluator of This Is My Brave, a stigma reduction program that creates
connection by showcasing real people sharing their lived experiences to humanize mental
health issues. This April, the program is coming to the University of South Florida
for This Is My Brave: College Edition, A OneUSF Production to shine a light on students’
lived experiences with mental illness and/or addiction.
This Is My Brave is a nationwide phenomenon with a simple goal: to save lives through
storytelling. Initiated through a Kickstarter in 2013, this program has grown across
the United States with shows throughout the country, allowing those who experience
mental health issues to tell their stories and combat stigma through live shows. With
the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the program moved shows online where it reached
a wider audience, and in 2021, Dr. Kyaien Conner, also of MHLP, co-produced Stories
from the Black Community.
“The stigma surrounding mental illness causes many people to feel alone and to hide
their experiences,” explains Kosyluk. “On average people go 10 years between the onset
of their symptoms and receiving treatment. This delay has many damaging effects such
as increased rates of hospitalization, substance use, social isolation, poorer academic
performance, and increased risk for suicide.”
Breaking down the stigma around seeking mental healthcare is vital to saving lives.
This Is My Brave is poised to tackle that stigma at a critical time.
“Due to COVID, many people are experiencing new and exacerbated mental distress, and
This Is My Brave breaks down stigma, so people are more likely to seek help,” says
Kosyluk. “I have worked for the past six years as the lead program evaluator of This
Is My Brave. We have begun to build a strong evidence base for the program, with two
research studies showing that This Is My Brave is effective for reducing stigma surrounding
mental illness and improving attitudes toward treatment seeking.”
On Friday, April 22, USF will host the first college edition of This Is My Brave,
a timely and poignant production. Students are encouraged to audition via video submission
through January 30. Kosyoluk encourages any student living with mental illness to
audition for the show.
“Every person has a story to tell,” says Kosyluk. “If they are in the cast, they will
work with castmates, the production team, and as storytelling coach to fine tune their
piece so they can take the stage with confidence in April.”
Evidence shows This Is My Brave performers experience enhanced recovery following
participation. These positive effects extend to the audience as well: those who attend
the show are promised an emotional, vibrant performance that brings the community
together.
“Many people who experience a mental health condition feel that they must go through
the experience alone due to stigma. Attending this show will help students to understand
that they are not alone and that college student with mental illness can and do recover
and are successful in their college pursuits.”
This Is My Brave: College Edition promises to shine a light on mental illness here
in the USF community and break down the stigma of experiencing mental health issues.
As we continue to navigate unprecedented times, coming together to celebrate human
experience is more important than ever.
The content of This Is My Brave – College Edition, a OneUSF Production was created
under the Department of Education’s arts learning grant, REACH (Race, Equity, Arts
and Cultural History), and has also received generous support from the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute at USF.
Audition
Those who would like to audition can do so via video submission through January 30.
For more information, email Amanda Clark at amandaclark@usf.edu.
Attend
This Is My Brave: College Edition will be held on Friday, April 22 at 7pm in MUS 101.