Open Mic
Designed for 18 to 30 years to spark real collaboration and high-energy learning.
A blend of Poetry, Storytelling and Stand up A way to talk about Mental Health easily Sense of Community New bonds and Connections based on your love for Art
Poetry in the Waiting Room
Begin with this: Imagine a hospital waiting room where people are anxious, bored, or stressed. Read aloud a short poem about uncertainty or hope. Ask participants: Could sharing poetry in moments like these change how people feel? Everyone predicts on a board: ‘Yes, it helps’, ‘No, it distracts’, ‘Maybe, depends’. Reveal examples from real hospitals using art therapy, then discuss their reactions.
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Why this works
A surprising scenario grabs attention and builds early intrigue. When participants guess before learning, they pay closer attention to the answer and remember it.
Punchlines vs Reality
Tell the group: ‘Mental health is often joked about in stand-up sets, but most people don’t actually talk about it seriously with friends.’ List three common stand-up punchlines about anxiety or therapy. Ask: Which one expresses a real mental health challenge, and which is just for laughs? Participants vote, then hear which examples match real experiences.
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Why this works
Revealing our assumptions about comedy and mental health helps people spot the gap between humor and real conversation. It makes the audience rethink what they hear in stand-up.
Silent Story Circle
Hand everyone a blank index card. Ask them to write one word describing how art (poetry/story/comedy) helps them during a stressful time — no names, just a word. Collect and read a few aloud anonymously. The group sees they’re not alone, and even shy participants can join safely.
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Why this works
This lets everyone participate without speaking out or risking embarrassment. Seeing common words creates instant connection and a sense of shared experience.
Stand Up, Sit Down Showdown
For this activity, list five statements about art and mental health on the board (e.g., ‘Writing poetry helps you sleep better’, ‘Comedy can make anxiety worse’, ‘Storytelling is just for kids’). Ask participants to stand up if they agree, sit down if they disagree. The room moves quickly, and the debate sparks energy. Reveal which statements are backed by research.
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Why this works
Physical movement wakes up the group and gives everyone a voice. Quick debates make the topic lively and memorable.
The Group Project Dilemma
Describe this scenario: Your team is working on a creative group project, but one member quietly disappears because they’re overwhelmed. Ask: How would you notice if someone needed support, and how could art help bring them back in? Groups brainstorm practical steps, then share ideas with the room.
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Why this works
Relating the topic to real group project struggles makes mental health concrete and practical. It opens up the conversation about noticing and supporting peers.
Your Art Connection Map
Ask everyone to stand and find one other person they don’t know well. Each pair takes turns sharing which type of art — poetry, storytelling, or comedy — they turn to when feeling low, and why. Then, pairs join another pair, making a group of four, and discover shared patterns. The activity ends with forming new connections over common art, helping everyone link mental health to community.
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Why this works
Talking about personal art preferences builds instant bonds. Moving from pairs to small groups makes everyone feel seen and valued.
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