Theater Production Tackles Teen Mental Health

Scene from "Ghosted," performed by Kaiser's Educational Theatre at Brenkwitz High School in Hayward on November 15.

Healing teens’ mental health challenges after the pandemic was the focus of “Ghosted,” presented by Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theatre at Brenkwitz High School in Hayward on November 15.

The show marked a return to in-person performance by Kaiser’s theater program after a 3-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, though virtual performances have continued. 

“Ghosted” tells the story of four students navigating life in high school while learning to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. Together, the students learn about the individual mental health challenges they are facing and what options they have for seeking help. They discover that although their identities and challenges are unique, they are not alone in their struggles.

“I thought the play was great because some of our students here suffer with those mental health challenges,” said Brenkwitz Principal Yvette Beavers. “It’s a great creative way to present help for the students and presenting the 988 number and know they are not alone.”

That toll-free 988 telephone number is a new nationwide suicide-prevention and mental health helpline, answered 24 hours a day and seven days a week. 

Kaiser hopes students watching the show will learn to avoid stigma by normalizing mental health challenges; develop skills to talk about stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts; prevention; identify coping strategies to build resilience; and access resources to get the help they may need. 

The need for mental health awareness and care for teens has exploded in the last 20 years, especially since COVID-19 exacerbated feelings of anxiety and depression, Kaiser said in a release.

Even before the pandemic arrived, teen suicides were on the rise. From 2000 to 2020, the numbers grew by 233 percent for girls ages 10 to 14, and 58 percent for boys of the same age, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Despite the rapid rise for girls, boys remain at greater risk, however, the CDC says.

The pandemic then added stress and anxiety, and 42 percent of high school students in the US now report feeling persistently sad or hopeless while 29 percent have recently experienced poor mental health, the CDC found.

Brenkwitz High senior Anakalia, who did not give her last name, said “A lot of people have stuff they don’t really share or talk about that’s really affecting them. I just think it’s really important to bring awareness to it and for people know that they can get help.”

Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre dates back to 1986 and is part of Kaiser’s Thriving Schools program. Ghosted is one of three plays they present free of charge to schools, along with “The Password” for elementary students and “RISE UP” for school staff.

For more information, schools can contact Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre athttps://thrivingschools.kaiserpermanente.org/educational-theatre/