Get Up Mum – life with mental illness

Justin was like any normal kid, he loved table tennis and watching Rage. What made him different was that he lived alone with a Mum who often cried uncontrollably and wouldn’t get out of bed. He was forced to grow up fast and learn firsthand the pain and confusion of a lived experience of mental illness. To celebrate the publishing of his childhood memoir ‘Get Up Mum’ Justin has created this heartfelt and humorous presentation which aims to address the stigma around schizophrenia. Drawing on his challenging experience as a child carer, he uses original extracts from his grade seven diary and scenes drawn from cassette recordings to paint the picture of a thirteen year old under fire. Justin will remind students that their mind is like a pet that needs to be looked after. His comedy songs such as ‘Golden Gaytime’ and ‘I think my cat has got depression’ will engage and educate about this difficult topic.

 

Topics covered

The lived experience of a child carer

Schizophrenia through the eyes of a teenager

Strategies for coping with stress and anxiety

Sleep, self-care and taking a break from screens

The importance of discussing your feelings

 

Connects directly to mental health aspects of the PE and English curriculum.