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Performances of a play at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus helped to reduce the stigma surrounding suicide, a study has found.

Every Brilliant Thing, Duncan Macmillan¡¯s interactive one-person play, tells the story of a child whose parent has struggled with mental health disorders, suicidal ideation and suicide loss.

Audience members are invited to participate, calling out suggestions to build a growing list of ¡°brilliant things¡± worth living for.

The play has just opened in London¡¯s West End, initially starring Lenny Henry, with other actors including Sue Perkins and Minnie Driver also set to take the central role.

The interactive format, the researchers say, allows the play to explore the topic with honesty and immediacy, using humour and personal connection to dismantle barriers that often prevent open discussion on a subject shrouded by stigma.

As part of the study, published in the journal ?on 14 August, audience members completed anonymous self-report surveys before and after the performance, and again 30 days later. The surveys used the Stigma of Suicide Scale Short Form (SOSS-SF), which measures three dimensions: stigmatising attitudes towards suicide, beliefs that suicide stems from isolation or depression, and the tendency to normalise or glorify suicide.

Results showed a small but statistically significant decrease in stigma scores immediately after the performance, with the effect sustained at the 30-day follow-up. However, there was no observed change in how participants attributed the causes of suicide or in attitudes towards its romanticisation.

Although modest, the researchers stress that any shift is meaningful in an area as complex and persistent as suicide stigma.

Theatre, the study suggests, offers advantages over traditional prevention methods. Psychological theories such as ¡°narrative transportation¡±, where audiences become deeply absorbed in a story, can help individuals engage with difficult subjects in a way that feels personal and less defensive.

The stakes are particularly high on university campuses, it highlights, where suicide can have far-reaching effects. A single death can affect peers, faculty and staff, and increase the risk of further incidents, a phenomenon known as suicide diffusion. Institutions must also manage postvention challenges, balancing privacy with the community¡¯s need for conversation and support.

By telling the story from a child¡¯s perspective,?Every Brilliant Thing?sidesteps some of the barriers to discussion by approaching the subject without preconceptions, the study says. Active audience participation creates a shared experience that encourages empathy and reflection.?

The persistence of the stigma reduction over a month is notable. Many interventions produce only short-term effects, yet the study suggests arts-based approaches, particularly those involving participation, may influence longer-term attitudes.?

While not a stand-alone solution, the authors argue such performances can complement broader prevention strategies in higher education. In a sector where student well-being is increasingly prioritised, the study adds to evidence that cultural and creative initiatives have a place alongside clinical and policy measures.

¡°Considering the lifesaving importance of addressing the stigma of suicide and the innumerable persons in need of services,¡± the authors conclude, ¡°using the arts as a gateway to increase dialogue, increase awareness, and reduce stigma is imperative.¡±

If you are having suicidal thoughts or feel you need to talk to someone, a free helpline is available around the clock in the UK on 116123, or you can email?jo@samaritans.org. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In?Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13?11?14. Other international suicide helplines can be found at?.