MHANJ's NJ Mental Health Players Offer Interactive Zoom Sessions

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey’s (MHANJ’s) NJ Mental Health Players (NJMHP) help to increase education and awareness of emotional wellness topics while decreasing stigma often associated with mental health and substance use disorders. Since the COVID-19 pandemic the Players have transitioned their live performances to a virtual platform using Zoom.

How it Works

Led by Director Lynette Sheard, a trained professional, the Players are a group of culturally and age-diverse volunteer actors from across New Jersey. Several of them are in recovery, drawing upon their lived experience with mental illness, to help enlighten audience members.
The new virtual format for the Players is a 45-minute program which mimics their traditional live shows with a few new added features. Key topics available at this time are coping with COVID-19 and related issues and anti-racism, as well as the mental health curriculum. Serving as moderator, Ms. Sheard shares facts, data, and information followed by a scenario performed by the players. Then there is a discussion between the audience members and the actors, who
remain in character while soliciting interactive engagement, to devise collective solutions from the audience. The program culminates with providing additional information, resources, links, and contact information.

Audiences include community and corporate conferences and seminars, elementary schools, high schools, colleges and universities, social service agencies, hospitals, and state and federal agencies.

The NJMHPs provide an excellent, impactful way to engage employees, volunteers and others in genuinely exploring thoughts and perceptions about mental illness and substance use disorder.
Need a Program for Your Company or Organization?

For virtual bookings and information contact Lynette Sheard at mentalhealthplayers@mhanj.org or 973-571-4100, ext. 104. There is no cost to the organization booking the program. This program is made possible with funding from the Department of Human Services Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

About the Mental Health Association in New Jersey
The MHANJ is a statewide non-profit organization that strives for children and adults to achieve victory over mental health and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training, and services. Headquartered in Springfield, the MHANJ also has offices in Atlantic, Hudson and Ocean Counties and affiliates across New Jersey including EssexMorris, Monmouth and Passaic Counties. For more information, visit www.mhanj.org or call 800-367-8850.