A MIDLANDS-based comedienne who is on a mission to reduce the social stigma that surrounds mental health issues is bringing her message to the Palace Theatre.
Working as a counsellor by day and a stand-up comedian at night, you’d never guess from Sheila McMahon’s professional, confident demeanour that she has suffered from depression so severe that she wanted to commit suicide when she was only seven-years-old.
As a result of these personal experiences, Sheila wants to educate people about depression so they can better understand the condition.
The 40-year-old is bringing her new show ‘Sheila’s M.H.S – Mental Health Show’ to Redditch on February 6 and will share her experiences and knowledge about mental health in a humorous way through her catch-phrase ‘life is too serious to be taken seriously… besides no one gets out alive anyway’.
With one in four people in the UK suffering from depression or a similar mental health issue, Sheila hopes through the launch of her new book, ‘The Power of Knowing You – Learning from the Past’, she can help others suffering from similar issues.
The book contains exercises designed to give readers the tools to break free from limiting thoughts and negative patterns of behaviour, to help them move forward with their life, and be the best they can be.
Copies will be available to buy at the theatre on the night or can be purchased from Amazon, and Sheila will be available to sign copies after the show.
She added: “It’s a very dark place to be in, when negative thoughts completely overwhelm you and you struggle to cope with everyday life. “That’s why I’m so passionate about trying to help others – not just those suffering from depression, but also their family and friends who often don’t understand that someone can’t just ‘snap out’ of depression like they might just ordinarily ‘snap out’ of a bad mood.”
For tickets visit www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk/
