‘I’m Fine’
A powerful performance by Samantha James
Suicide and depression: It's something that can fly under the radar and become overlooked; it's not just being upset or tired, it's losing the will to continue. Sam brings forth what goes through a teenage girl's mind with depression in the lead up to taking her life as Cassandra in her monologue 'I'm fine'.
The performance finds the character in the last moments of her life - filming her suicide video. Sam brings an insight to what motivates Casndra in making the final decision and the impact of people in her life. At the beginning of her suicide video, Cassandra reflects to a moment in her life that started it all, the bullying, rumours and passing of notes. Through flashbacks, this character transports us back into her past and reflects on the negative moments that drove her to making this grave decision, connecting with viewers to the real impact of numerous moments in her life – moments that we can all relate to as they are all common in our world for many.
As Sam's Cassandra reflects to what started it all, the rhetorical question the girls spreading stories about her, girls who barely know her, "Do you know how they affect me??", engages the audience to start a discussion on the effect those words and actions had on her life. The objective is clear, force those who have driven her to the edge, to acknowledge what they've done. Be impacted by the fact a girl just killed herself because of them. Not only the girls who bullied her countless times but force the viewing audience to consider the impact of their own words in their own lives, that what they say and do really does have an impact on people’s lives and that this is relevant to the lives of just about everyone.
In Sam's performance she demonstrates a lot of visual aspects, engaging the audience continuously throughout. Sam makes considerable use of visual representations such as the chair; her main prop. Sam uses the chair as the climax to her performance; the moment she stands on top of it before taking the final jump and committing suicide. The placement of the chair serves to build suspense - the audience anticipating the end which is signified by the chair. Before jumping, Sam's character seeks validation that this is what's best for her; that "it will all be ok because angels can fly". Sam's Cassandra makes perfect use of gestures when holding out her arm in her performance when she says, "you and your ‘followers’…. your actions…. have given me scars that no one can see, and some that you can". The gesture reveals the full meaning behind the image of scars; both internal and external, adding realism and a physical demonstration; reinforcing a believable character.
After viewing Sam’s performance, her message has clearly been made. What may start as a silly comment or harsh word, can grow into one of the hardest struggle for teens to face. The struggle of bullying, teasing and trying to fit in, in a world constantly changing can push people to the edge. After watching her performance, you begin to question your own past actions in your own life because for some people, those words could end a life…
A powerful performance by Samantha James
Suicide and depression: It's something that can fly under the radar and become overlooked; it's not just being upset or tired, it's losing the will to continue. Sam brings forth what goes through a teenage girl's mind with depression in the lead up to taking her life as Cassandra in her monologue 'I'm fine'.
The performance finds the character in the last moments of her life - filming her suicide video. Sam brings an insight to what motivates Casndra in making the final decision and the impact of people in her life. At the beginning of her suicide video, Cassandra reflects to a moment in her life that started it all, the bullying, rumours and passing of notes. Through flashbacks, this character transports us back into her past and reflects on the negative moments that drove her to making this grave decision, connecting with viewers to the real impact of numerous moments in her life – moments that we can all relate to as they are all common in our world for many.
As Sam's Cassandra reflects to what started it all, the rhetorical question the girls spreading stories about her, girls who barely know her, "Do you know how they affect me??", engages the audience to start a discussion on the effect those words and actions had on her life. The objective is clear, force those who have driven her to the edge, to acknowledge what they've done. Be impacted by the fact a girl just killed herself because of them. Not only the girls who bullied her countless times but force the viewing audience to consider the impact of their own words in their own lives, that what they say and do really does have an impact on people’s lives and that this is relevant to the lives of just about everyone.
In Sam's performance she demonstrates a lot of visual aspects, engaging the audience continuously throughout. Sam makes considerable use of visual representations such as the chair; her main prop. Sam uses the chair as the climax to her performance; the moment she stands on top of it before taking the final jump and committing suicide. The placement of the chair serves to build suspense - the audience anticipating the end which is signified by the chair. Before jumping, Sam's character seeks validation that this is what's best for her; that "it will all be ok because angels can fly". Sam's Cassandra makes perfect use of gestures when holding out her arm in her performance when she says, "you and your ‘followers’…. your actions…. have given me scars that no one can see, and some that you can". The gesture reveals the full meaning behind the image of scars; both internal and external, adding realism and a physical demonstration; reinforcing a believable character.
After viewing Sam’s performance, her message has clearly been made. What may start as a silly comment or harsh word, can grow into one of the hardest struggle for teens to face. The struggle of bullying, teasing and trying to fit in, in a world constantly changing can push people to the edge. After watching her performance, you begin to question your own past actions in your own life because for some people, those words could end a life…
1 out of every 4 adults will experience a mental health disorder and 1 out of every 5 young people will experience a mental disorder. 90% of suicides occur due to a mental health related disorder. This all starts from a young age. School can be one of the most stressful environments for young people growing up. With the increasing amount of pressure placed on younger generations to get better, higher paying jobs to support their futures, students are working harder to achieve their goals, often putting their mental health at risk. Due to the lack of awareness about mental health issues, particularly in schools, many teenagers are unsure of how to get help with these issues. By increasing awareness about this topic, we can start to help to lower the amount of young people suffering from mental health issues. This will by no means completely eradicate these issues but it is a small step to help those who need it.
Please note that the students in this video are from a small town where mental health amoungst teenagers is not a very large issue. It is however still a very big problem in larger areas.
Please note that the students in this video are from a small town where mental health amoungst teenagers is not a very large issue. It is however still a very big problem in larger areas.