“Next To Normal” is the Tony- and Pulitzer-Prize winning musical set in the world of a family changed when a member is diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
In association with the TheaterWorks Hartford production of the show, the Hartford HealthCare Behavioral Health Network will hold Talkback Tuesdays, an interactive lecture series featuring clinical experts from the fields of mental health and addiction on thematic threads from the show, including stigma and discrimination, family stress and recovery. Talkback Tuesdays immediately follow the performance every Tuesday in April.
Patricia Rehmer is president of the Hartford HealthCare Behavioral Health Network:
Q: Tell us about “Next To Normal” and its relationship to mental health or mental illness.
A: “Next to Normal” is a Pulitzer Prize and Tony award-winning musical about a suburban mother who struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effects that her illness has on her family. The show will run from March 24 to May 14. I think this is a wonderful opportunity for people to see what living with a mental health or addiction diagnosis is really like; both from the individual and the family perspective.
Q: The Hartford HealthCare Behavioral Health Network is hosting “Talkback Tuesdays” in association with this production of the play. Tell us what this is about.
A: “Talkback Tuesdays” is an interactive, yet intimate discussion that will occur immediately following the show each Tuesday in April. This is a way to create a community dialogue with our experts from the Hartford HealthCare Behavioral Health Network, cast members and special guests.
I will be hosting a “Talkback Tuesday” chat on April 11 focusing on stigma and discrimination in mental health. We will also tackle such issues as the opioid crisis and wellness and recovery.
Q: Your talk will focus on the discrimination associated with mental illness. Why is mental illness looked upon differently than other illness. How do we change that view?
A: The first thing we need to do is stop talking about stigma and talk about discrimination. Stigma is really about how people feel about themselves when they struggle with these issues. Discrimination is more about how we treat people who are undergoing treatment or are involved in recovery.
For more information on the Talkback Tuesday series, or on “Next To Normal” production at TheaterWorks in Hartford, click here.