"Every Brilliant Thing" Encourages Mental Well Being

 

December 5, 2019

Rosie Seitz Ayers, Actor from Helena's GrandStreet Theatre, Kristi Mobley, School Psychologist and Dori Phillips, School Counselor, explain the importance of self-care, knowing the signs and symptoms of suicide and the resources for suicide prevention during a talk back session following the evening presentation of Every Brilliant Thing. The play was performed for the school and community and was sponsored by MSU Extension's Youth Issues Coalition, the Broadus Schools and funding from the Eastern Service Area Authority. (Photo courtesy PR Extension Office)

By PR Extension Office

"Every Brilliant Thing" strikes a delicate balance between sobering loss and cathartic laughter, recounting a life lived in the shadow of suicide. The play captivated audiences in the community last Monday, according to Powder River Extension Agent and Youth Issues Coalition member Mary Rumph. It was sponsored locally by MSU Extension's Youth Issues Coalition and the Broadus Schools, with funding from the Eastern Service Area Authority and Blue Cross Blue Shield in conjunction with Grandstreet Theatre.

The play begins with a seven -year-old learning that Mom is in the hospital. Dad says "she's done something stupid." The kid begins to create a list for Mom. A list of everything that's brilliant about the world. Everything worth living for: #1 Ice cream; #2 Water fights; #3 Staying up past your bedtime to watch TV ...and the list goes on until reaching 200 brilliant things to live for. The list is presented to the mother who never acknowledges it, but the child knows it was read because the spelling was corrected.

As time passes and the list grows, what began as a naive attempt to make Mom happy becomes an epic chronicle of life's little wonders. A tribute to the irrepressible resilience inside all of us and the capacity to find delight in the everyday, Every Brilliant Thing was funny, clever, and surprisingly uplifting play describing the lengths we go to for those we love.

Broadus was the 47th stop across Montana for the play to benefit mental health and suicide prevention. The performance was a one-actor show, alternately starring Helena-born Missoula resident Rosie Seitz Ayers and Connecticut's Ryan Eggesnsperger, and explored mental health, families and the ways people love in a "hilarious and uplifting production" for both adults and teenagers. The play was written by award winning British playwright Duncan Macmillian with UK comedian Jonny Donnaoe.

Ryan performed to the student body of the Powder River District High School during a school assembly; with Rosie taking the stage for the community performance Monday evening. Both performances involved audience participation as attendees are "cast" into roles from reading off "something brilliant" on their cue card to acting the part of the elementary school counselor; a veterinarian; a college professor; a father and a significant other.

By involving the audience throughout the duration of the performance, the play was fascinating for multiple reasons. One never knew when they would be prompted to read the "brilliant thing" on their cue card, so had to be alert and ready to contribute. The selected volunteer cast didn't even know they had a part until they were coaxed into the dialog by Ryan in the morning or Rosie in the evening's production. As a result, the time passed quickly as the key actor moved from childhood through the teenage years and into adulthood.

"You cannot get through life without an experience of depression, whether that means suffering from it yourself or knowing a loved one who is going through it," stated Ryan and Rosie during the talk back session following the play.

"There are many folks who deal with mental health issues across the state," said Rosie, explaining that Montana has the highest rate of suicide per capita in the nation. Kristi Mobley, School Psychologist and Dori Phillips, School Counselor, joined Rosie for the conversation following the evening performance to explain the importance of self-care, knowing the signs and symptoms of suicide and the resources for suicide prevention. Both Phillips and Mobley noted the holiday season can be an extremely volatile time and encouraged diligence in noticing the signs of a peer, family member or when struggling personally.

"Talking about depression and suicide is absolutely vital," stated Rosie who debunked the #1 myth that talking about suicide puts the idea in one's mind. She shared her personal experiences with depression and how the people around her recognized symptoms and helped her to find the resources needed to recover. She cited the warning signs from the National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI):

• Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves

• Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun

• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live

• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain

• Talking about being a burden to others

• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs

• Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly

• Sleeping too little or too much

• Withdrawing or isolating themselves

• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

• Extreme mood swings

The beauty of 'Every Brilliant Thing' is that it gives hope. It takes the same impulse that people have toward spiraling downward and changes the direction. The show encouraged spiraling up and becoming obsessed with gratitude and beauty in everyday moments.

 

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