Banbury woman will stage comedy show for World Mental Health Day

Sheila McMahon, a qualified counsellor, comedienne, author, singer, songwriter and survivor of mental ill health was supposed to be performing her sell-out mental health theatre show at a UK theatre. The date was carefully chosen, Saturday October 10, to coincide with it being World Mental Health Day.

But with the Covid restrictions still in place an alternate plan had to be made.

When Sheila planned the show back in 2019 and decided to do her autumn mental health show about anxiety, she had no idea how apt her chosen subject would be. Since March, many have been living with the anxiety-ridden reality of the coronavirus.

Sheila, who used to live in Banbury and worked for the Banbury Guardian, said: “Now, more than ever, people need help with anxiety. I simply couldn’t cancel a show that so many people could benefit from, so I had to find another way…”

The show will run at the same time, on the same date but be performed virtually, hosted over Zoom, so everyone can stay safe and still enjoy the fun.

The show is all about anxiety – what it is, and how to manage it. As well as talking about more general anxieties, Sheila will also share her thoughts about new anxieties related to the current Covid-19 pandemic.

Sheila will provide an insight into anxiety, teach perspectives, coping mechanisms and tools to manage your state of minds.

In Sheila’s own unique style, she’ll have the audience laughing whilst learning, as part of her lifelong mission to reduce the stigma around mental health, and encourage more understanding.

Whilst Sheila is extremely disappointed that this year's show cannot take place within a theatre, she will still be supporting the original venue, The Lichfield Garrick Theatre, as it’s a registered charity, by donating 10 per cent of profits from this show.

For more information about Sheila McMahon see her website: https://www.mindmanagementforyou.com/For more information about the show and how to book tickets see its Eventbrite website here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sheilas-live-mental-health-show-7-about-anxiety-tickets-118421719551