Theatre supplies 'mental health first aiders' for audience members upset by harrowing play

[mitchern]

Posted: 2/1/26 at 2:13pm

https://www.msn.com/en-ie/health/other/theatre-supplies-mental-health-first-aiders-for-audience-members-upset-by-harrowing-play/ar-AA1VpfMR

[quizking101]

Posted: 2/1/26 at 2:28pm

I’m not sure if the intention of the article is to rage-bait or not, but as a mental health professional, this doesn’t seem entirely beyond the pale. Am I more inclined to tell someone to avoid a show that, given the trigger warnings, may cause an issue? Yeah. But everyone has a different threshold for triggers and also someone who may think that they are in a good space to see the show may not be once the show starts.

To me, this is no different than when they have the sensory/autism-friendly performances sponsored by TDF - it allows consumption of theatre by greater masses while also removing barriers. 

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 2/1/26 at 3:30pm

Yeah, it's not quite the same, but I saw a production of Tuesdays With Morrie a year or so ago where tissues were passed out with programs in anticipation of people crying during the show.

Finding ways to accommodate audience members is part of doing a show. That's why shows have had warnings related to content, flashing lights, etc. for years. If a production is known to have particularly sensitive or potentially wrenching subject matter, it's totally appropriate to have people on-site to help aid audience members who could have an extreme reaction to it.