‘Play Back’ to pay back – understanding mental health

Eleven social work students at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) presented recovery stories concerning people with chronic mental health problems through an interactive drama for an audience of patients and their caregivers.

The project, called “Narrating Faith, Love, Hope – Play Back: One Story by One Person Theatre”, held on 25 August was performed in front of 200 people.

It aims to promote better awareness about the psychological and mental health issues impacting patients and their caregivers, and explores issues about assimilation back into society, too.

The students performed positive recovery stories about patients and their caregivers on stage after having training in “Play Back” narrative therapy techniques.

The drama experience not only offered a positive therapeutic experience for the audience, it also helped the social work students to better understand chronic mental health illness with regard to their professional training at CityU.