Voicing the Unspoken Struggle

Please join Hennepin Theatre Trust for a community conversation on issues of social anxiety, depression and suicide as they’re portrayed in the Tony Award-winning Dear Evan Hansen, which opens this week in Minneapolis. The celebrated contemporary musical addresses mental health issues as well as numerous other challenges faced by modern teenagers and families.

One in five people deals with mental health issues, which often emerge during the teen years and are accompanied by shame and embarrassment. The Trust has partnered with Fraser, Minnesota’s largest and most experienced provider of mental health and autism services, to host this important discussion and Q&A.

Panelists include:

• Sue Abderholden, MPH, executive director, National Alliance of Mental Illness Minnesota
• Kirsten Anderson, executive director, AspireMN
• Payton Counts, program assistant, Indigenous Peoples Task Force
• Aric Jensen – PHD, LP, director of mental health, Fraser
• Christiane Noll, cast member, Dear Evan Hansen
• Ken Barlow, moderator, KSTP-TV

About the Moderator: Ken Barlow is an Emmy-award winning meteorologist who has spoken publicly about his diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder. Barlow has been awarded the Paul Wellstone Advocacy Award from the Minnesota Psychiatric Society and serves on the International Bipolar Foundation’s Advisory Board. Ken is currently serves on the Minnesota Mental Health Community Foundation and has previously served on the board of directors for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (Minnesota).

Space for this event is limited and may be standing room only. Please RSVP below.