A REDDITCH action group has praised a Midlands-based comedienne for her work supporting mental health.
Sheila McMahon, who brings her ‘Sheila’s M.H.S – Mental Health Show’ to the Palace Theatre on February 6, works as a counsellor by day and a stand-up comedian by night.
From her professional, confident demeanour, you would never guess the 40-year-old has suffered from depression so severe she wanted to commit suicide when she was aged just seven.
As a result of these personal experiences, she wants to educate people about depression so they can better understand the condition.
And it’s this frank openness and honesty that has impressed Redditch Mental Health Acton Group (MHAG).
MHAG spokesperson, Rebecca Blake said: “For the last three years MHAG has been committed to bringing people together to improve services, create further support and tackle stigma.
“We know the arts are essential to helping people better understand mental illness and to get them openly discussing their own mental health.”
Borough Councillor Pat Witherspoon supports Sheila’s work and draws a connection between the mental health ‘stigma’ and how people used to talk about cancer.
“Years ago cancer was called ‘the big C’ and whispered about but now with so much information, shared knowledge and better treatment it’s out in the open whereas mental illness is still a ‘hidden illness’,” she said.
With one in four people in the UK suffering from depression or a similar mental health issue, Sheila hopes her new book, ‘The Power of Knowing You – Learning from the Past’, can help others suffering from similar issues.
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.
Tickets, priced at £13, are available online at www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk or from the box office on 01527 65203.
