USF students took the stage at the Peter and Cynthia Zinober Concert Hall at the USF School of Music on Friday night to share stories of their lived experiences with mental illness and substance use disorders. Hundreds of audience members filled the concert hall to support the cast and join the movement to eliminate stigma.
Kristin Kosyluk, PhD, show producer and assistant professor in the Department of Behavioral Health Science & Practice, opened This Is My Brave - College Edition at the University of South °®ÎÛ´«Ã½ by emphasizing the importance of openly discussing mental illness so that those facing these experiences understand they are not alone.
Research suggests that 39% of college students experience a significant mental health issue, yet 67% of people between the ages of 18 and 24 who live with anxiety or depression do not seek treatment.
"We’re shining a light on mental illness to show the world that we are students, faculty
and professionals. We are your friends, your peers, your colleagues, your neighbors,
your
family," Kosyluk said. "We hope that through our storytelling, you will better understand
mental illness and addiction and you will be able to be supportive of those in your
life who may experience it."
Cast members included Nate Varnado, who is pursuing a degree in English as a Judy Genshaft Honors College student; Karolina Paulus, a senior finance major and member of the Judy Genshaft Honors College; Avry Eden, an emerging performer and mental health advocate pursuing her bachelor’s degree in behavioral healthcare at the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences; and Alex Leake, a fourth-year doctoral student in neuroscience at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.
"Our hope is that you will leave with a transformed impression of what the face of mental illness looks like, thanks to the bravery of our cast members," said Kosyluk.
The show also welcomed special guest Jayden Haggler, a USF alumnus and co-founder of the nonprofit organization . Haggler spoke about how one general education course changed his perspective on mental health. The class, Mental Illness and Addiction, offered through the Department of Behavioral Health Science and Practice, introduced him to how mental health has been perceived throughout history. Inspired by the course’s final project requirements, Haggler wrote the children’s book "The Big Let Go" in hopes of reaching children before stigma can take root.