Yocum Institute for Arts Education is bringing two theater-based mental health programs to Berks County schools this fall at no cost, following a pilot earlier this year that reached more than 3,400 students, faculty and staff.
The programs, “I’m OK” for elementary students and “At Some Point – We Have to Talk” for high school students, use live, interactive theater to encourage conversations about mental health, increase awareness, reduce stigma and connect students with trusted adults and community resources.
“We know that schools are being asked to support students who are navigating increasingly complex emotional and social challenges, and we believe the arts can be a powerful way to open the door to those conversations,” said Kristin Gehris, Yocum Institute’s School & Community Engagement Director. “What was especially meaningful about our spring pilot was seeing how positively students, teachers and administrators responded to these programs.”
“I’m OK” is a 30-minute interactive theater assembly designed for second- and third-grade students. Through storytelling, reflection and problem-solving, the program addresses feelings awareness, empathy, listening, respect, self-regulation, challenging classroom situations and positive decision-making.
Written by Joel Richard Gori, the production was developed with guidance from mental health professionals and a panel of elementary school principals, counselors, social workers and emotional support teachers representing urban, suburban and rural schools in Berks County.
Yocum presented the program at 18 elementary schools during its spring 2026 pilot, reaching more than 2,900 students, faculty and staff.
Participating students receive a feelings journal intended to encourage continued reflection, while families receive a mental health resource packet developed in partnership with Inspired Wellness.
Performances of “I’m OK” are available at various morning and afternoon times from September through mid-December. The program is funded in part by The Yocum Family Charitable Trust.
For high school students, “At Some Point – We Have to Talk” is a 30-minute production exploring issues including relationships, missing persons, the impact of social media and self-harm.
Written by Adam Void, the production was developed in collaboration with VOiCEup Berks and young people involved in its Mental Health Ambassador initiative. According to Yocum, conversations with local teens and their experiences helped shape the production.
Yocum produces the program in partnership with the Reading Area Community College Theatre Arts Department, providing college students with professional performance experience while engaging with the issues presented in the production.
After each performance, VOiCEup Berks Mental Health Ambassadors lead a discussion based on situations depicted in the play. Audience members also receive a youth-developed wellness toolkit containing coping tools, grounding strategies and mental health resources.
“As Ambassadors, we want to break the stigma surrounding mental health and create a safe environment where students can talk openly and learn from each other,” said Madi Bieber, a Youth Mental Health Ambassador from Exeter High School.
Five performances of “At Some Point” were presented during the spring pilot, reaching more than 500 high school students, faculty and administrators.
Performances are available to high schools on Wednesday mornings through mid-December. The program is supported by Tower Behavioral Health and the Wyomissing Foundation.
Yocum initially developed and offered the programs with support from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program, administered through the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development, through June 2026.
The institute said it is now seeking ongoing funding and community support to continue offering the programs to schools at no cost.
“The response from our school partners reinforced for us that there is a real need for programs like these,” said Vicki Haller Graff, Executive Director of Yocum Institute for Arts Education. “Our goal is to make sure cost is not a barrier for schools that want to bring meaningful mental health programming to their students. Continued community support will help us make that possible.”
Berks County schools interested in scheduling either program or learning more about the initiative can contact Gehris at kgehris@yocuminstitute.org.
