Mindset Revolution: Resources
Strengthening Youth Voice on Youth Mental Health
Two Poems by Chimwemwe Chirwa, Mindset Revolution researcher
Video by Lee Kahlo (Mindset Revolution researcher/ filmmaker)
I wrote this short poem to encapsulate the state of the current mental health system and how the Mindset Revolution's digital participation group are combating it by building a platform and creating dialogue surrounding mental health in the city.
Were open
We are creating space
Soft warm and delicate in taste
Unlike the sour medicinal one we’ve become accustomed to
We will no longer savour wood covered in lukewarm vanilla
Can you not acknowledge that for the brain these white walls and green chairs are killer?
We are creating, curating and innovating meaningful conversations
An intimate syndicate,
A voice for a generation
That for many years was left to rot in waiting,
A system of vindication
Were not lying when we say the whole ordeal is frustrating
So we’ve built a platform with a new blueprint that’s a little less invalidating
Where we will have open dialogue on our solution
It’s a mindset revolution
Video by Lee Kahlo (Mindset Revolution researcher/ filmmaker)
I wrote this second short poem to summarise what the Legislative Theatre group in Mindset Revolution is doing. The first session we dropped in on as researchers they were doing a legislative theatre exercise that revolved around mental health and the workplace. The poem encompasses how the legislative theatre group uses audience members (in the poem's case the angel) to act as someone who can be a legislative leader and change the outcome of legislative plays.
Late Legislation
The liberating licks of tobacco can only linger for so long
There’s not enough people in today matey boy what’s going on
The corporate shadow laps up the sunshine that glisten in my eyes
They’re scrapping admin jobs to absolutely no surprise
You can threaten to leave but that won’t change a thing
Your capitalist bossman has already moved onto his next ting
The power you thought you had is dwindling at the picket line
You start to quite quit and tell all your other co-workers your fine
A stranger cladded in white between the exhausted crowds is waving at you
The individual calls out to you that the theatrics of your existence are about to be changed
You don’t have to live your life enraged
For I am the angel for legislation
Here to build a better life for you a new foundation
Feel the sensation, vibration of your newly found spirit of affirmation
This toxicity doesn’t serve you anymore
And I’m going to put plans in place so you shouldn’t have to suffer in this convenience store
The theatre of your life will come into law
So you don’t have to fight constantly against the bourgeois
Liberated from the shackles of institution
Don’t you worry my dear you’ll get your restitution
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