Mental a New Web Series Needs a Kickstart!
Mental is the brainchild of Shirin (Najafi) and Julie (Lake) – from Orange is the New Black – who have been best friends since they meet their freshman year in high school. Mental tells the story of two neurotic best friends who struggle to navigate life’s challenges while battling anxiety and depression. They have already filmed the first episode which is available on their Kickstarter page.
The episode deals with the two friends trying to negotiate a détente while sharing a hotel room. I laughed my ass off. Both Shirin and Julie do a great job of portraying people who are held captive by their own minds while at the same time, showing us the humor that can be found in everyday life when we choose to look for it. Even when we feel paralyzed by our own anxieties and depression.
While some people might find it insensitive for anyone to write, direct and act in a comedy that revolves around mental illness, I think it’s refreshing to see two women dealing with and talking about something other than problems with men. In addition, by making anxiety and depression funny the show can actually empower people to want to talk about their own struggles, help them see that they are not alone and that their mental struggles are no longer a taboo topic.
Shirin and Julie hope to film a total of six episodes which will each run 5 to 12 minutes long. Their Kickstarter page gives a brief synopsis of the next three episodes and the situations described should prove to be very entertaining. As with all crowdfunding efforts, there are a variety of perks offered for various levels of support and every dollar helps. They have reached at total of $5,166 out of the $11000 that they are hoping to raise.
Take a few minutes out of your day today and check out their first episode “Palm Springs”. I guarantee it will make your day a little brighter and help it pass a little faster. If you like what you see go ahead and donate at least the amount you’d spend on coffee every day and help these talented women get their project funded.
You can find Shirin and Julie on social media at: