BRADFORD-BASED Articulate Drama School and Agency is using performance skills to raise awareness of mental health.

Students aged four to 21 have been marking Mental Health Awareness month by focusing on mental health among young people.

Drama School Manager Hannah Fouassier said they have been exploring strategies to deal with issues such as triggers and traffic light emotions.

Said Hannah: “I really wanted to get the children using their skills in drama and performance to open up a conversation about mental health. The youngest students in the Bingley classes, aged four-plus, took part in an emotion based lesson following the story The Rainbow Fish. Meanwhile the Baildon students were asked to write what they loved most about themselves and celebrate it.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The youngsters have been using their performing arts skills to tackle mental health issues The youngsters have been using their performing arts skills to tackle mental health issues (Image: Articulate)

“With one in four of us experiencing a mental health problem at some point in our lives, we were really keen to raise awareness. Articulate invests a lot into the mental health of all 1,000 students at our weekly classes. Last year, our Founder and Director, Stacey Burrows, appointed George Scaife as our trained Mental Health and Wellbeing lead.”

George has been visiting Articulate classes across the Bradford district.

He said: “I have been in awe of the emotional maturity of the students and find it inspiring to spend time with a generation that has no sigma towards mental illness. It makes me incredibly optimistic for the future.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Articulate students are starting up a conversation about mental health Articulate students are starting up a conversation about mental health (Image: Articulate)

Several students from Articulate appear in a new McDonalds television commercial has which aired during Mental Health Awareness Week showing a smile being removed from their Happy Meals, with the overriding message that it’s okay not to feel happy all the time and to encourage more discussion around our feelings.

“The teachers at Articulate are fantastic and there’s been a real buzz in the lessons surrounding mental health,” said Hannah.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2023, Articulate Drama School and Casting Agency is recognised as the North’s leading casting agency, with pupils appearing in films and TV productions such as The Railway Children Return, All Creatures Great and Small, Peaky Blinders, Gentleman Jack and Last Tango in Halifax.

Youngsters from Articulate are currently filming with Hollywood star Pierce Brosnan on Giant, a biopic about boxer Prince Naseem, which has been shooting in Shipley, Wrose and Skipton. Articulate pupils are also in Virdee, a new crime thriller based on Bradford author AA Dhand’s book series, which has been filming in the city.

* For more information on Mental Health Awareness Week visit mind.org.uk

For more about Articulate, visit articulatesdc.com