I Promise You: Mental Health in the Art of Dance
Faculty Mentor
One WU Mentor: Meg Schriffen; schriffenm@winthrop.edu
College
College of Visual and Performing Arts
Department
Theatre & Dance
Faculty Mentor
Meg Schriffen, M.F.A.
Abstract
What does it mean to struggle with mental health? In fact, what exactly is mental health? Have you ever known anyone struggle with mental disorders that prohibit them from daily tasks? Maybe you have your own mental struggles you are working through. Take a moment to ask yourselves these questions and develop your own thoughts. As humans, we tend to act on our emotions or “big feelings” in varying ways. We can externally exhibit our emotions, some may bottle them in and there are all sorts of in betweens. What if these thoughts lead to something darker, something that can never be undone, such as ending your own life? What if just a call for help can change this? You might be asking, how do I do this? What if no one will listen to me? No one understands. “I Promise You” is about experiencing mental disorders and the feelings that go along with them. The choreography for this piece is based off of a raw display of emotion and art to tell a story of mental health awareness and suicide prevention. My movement also incorporates humanistic tendencies and speaking to show and portray the reality of this issue. This piece is also about the opportunity and bravery to ask for help in your darkest times. While you are just one, this world needs you in it. You are loved, valued and cherished, and most importantly you are never alone.
Additional Fields About Your Abstract
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Course Assignment
DANT 301 - Schriffen
Other Presentations/Performances
Winthrop University Junior Choreography Showcase. April 2021
Type of Presentation
Performance of my creative work
Performance Description
Dance/ choreography duet piece.
I Promise You: Mental Health in the Art of Dance
What does it mean to struggle with mental health? In fact, what exactly is mental health? Have you ever known anyone struggle with mental disorders that prohibit them from daily tasks? Maybe you have your own mental struggles you are working through. Take a moment to ask yourselves these questions and develop your own thoughts. As humans, we tend to act on our emotions or “big feelings” in varying ways. We can externally exhibit our emotions, some may bottle them in and there are all sorts of in betweens. What if these thoughts lead to something darker, something that can never be undone, such as ending your own life? What if just a call for help can change this? You might be asking, how do I do this? What if no one will listen to me? No one understands. “I Promise You” is about experiencing mental disorders and the feelings that go along with them. The choreography for this piece is based off of a raw display of emotion and art to tell a story of mental health awareness and suicide prevention. My movement also incorporates humanistic tendencies and speaking to show and portray the reality of this issue. This piece is also about the opportunity and bravery to ask for help in your darkest times. While you are just one, this world needs you in it. You are loved, valued and cherished, and most importantly you are never alone.
