Under My Skin: Play about self-harm returning to Oxfordshire schools
A hard-hitting play aimed at challenging the taboos about self-harm is returning for a fourth tour of Oxfordshire schools.
Under My Skin, commissioned by Oxfordshire County Council and produced by Pegasus Theatre, has reached more than 15,000 young people since its launch in 2016.
It will be shown to Year 8 and 9 pupils and continues a Public Health initiative to tackle self-harm and related stigma – which in 2016/17 accounted for more than 619 hospital admissions of people aged 10-24 in Oxfordshire.
The county council’s Public Health team seeks to improve the health of local people and protect them from preventable health issues, including commissioning the School Health Nursing service, who are a key partner in this project.
It’s all part of the council’s commitment to thriving communities – we strive to give every child a good start in life and protect everyone from abuse and neglect.
The 2019 tour starts at Lord Williams’ School in Thame on Monday, March 4, and takes in 32 schools before its conclusion in Oxfordshire on Wednesday, March 27.
Turning focus on adolescent mental health
Scripted by playwright Ali Taylor and directed by Leigh Toney, Under My Skin is based on conversations with young people who have self-harmed and is described as fast-paced, funny and hard-hitting.
The play follows the story of two school pupils – Sean (played by Isham Launay) and Bella (Kate Benfield) – with a narrative that challenges perceptions and assumptions about people who self-harm.
Leigh said: “With a much-needed focus turning on adolescent mental health and wellbeing over the past few years, Ali Taylor’s play is a fun and vital piece that doesn’t presume to tell young people how to have the ‘perfect conversations’ about your own mental health or that of your friends but does highlight the importance of just starting the dialogue.
“It is a lot of fun to have the opportunity to explore the characters of Bella and Sean, showing that we all have a relationship with our mental health and wellbeing.”
Increasing awareness
Under My Skin is designed to encourage pupils to be more open about discussing self-harm with their peers and teachers.
According to the 15,000 young people in Oxfordshire who the play has reached since 2016:
- 95% reported the play had increased awareness of self-harm
- 90% now know where to get support having seen the play
- 87% felt using theatre was a good way of learning about difficult topics
Of 100 professionals who provided feedback, 57% felt their understanding of self-harm increased following the play and 73% felt more confident in supporting a young person approaching them with concerns about self-harm.
The production has been developed with the guidance of expert advisors including teachers, Oxfordshire County Council’s Public Health and Children’s Social Care teams, and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, which is responsible for School Health Nurses and runs Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
Following its first run in 2016, Under My Skin was a finalist in the Public Mental Health and Wellbeing category for the Royal Society for Public Health Awards.
Empowering young people
Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Lawrie Stratford, said: “Self-harm can be difficult to talk about. We hope Under My Skin continues to act as a catalyst for people to seek support and also helps others around them to have a better idea of what to do.
“We hope to empower young people to discuss the issue openly and honestly, ensuring they know how and where to access support if they need it.”