Kaiser Permanente is proud to highlight a special preview performance of Ghosted, presented through its Educational Theatre program in partnership with Imagination Stage in Maryland.
On March 11th, Kaiser Permanente and Imagination Stage hosted a viewing of Ghosted which addressed the urgent need for conversation around youth mental health at a time when young people are experiencing unprecedented levels of stress, isolation, and anxiety. Written by June Caryll and directed by Alina Collins Maldonado, Ghosted follows three high school students navigating stress, depression, and the emotional aftermath of a school tragedy. Through authentic storytelling and relatable dialogue, the production reflects students’ realworld experiences and encourages open discussion about mental health, coping strategies, and seeking support.
Following the performance, a live panel discussion brought together community and health leaders to explore youth mental health and the role of the arts in fostering connection, healing, and learning. The panel was moderated by Laura Geller, awardwinning CBS News journalist, and featured:
- Christina Lee, MD, psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente
- Jennifer Grinnell, director of community mental health at EveryMind
- Delegate Teresa Woorman, Maryland General Assembly, District 16
“Creating intentional spaces for young people to be heard is essential,” said Damion Perkins, youth mental health lead for community health at Kaiser Permanente. “I am proud to do this work at Kaiser Permanente, addressing critical youth mental health issues while strengthening arts integration and the use of drama as a powerful tool for connection and learning. Conversations like this matter, and so does continuing the work to support the mental health of our young people.”
Through programs like Ghosted, Kaiser Permanente continues to invest in artsbased education as a powerful approach to helping students navigate complex emotions, build empathy, and engage in conversations that traditional methods may not always reach. Theatre provides a unique platform for reflection, understanding, and collective learning which helps young people feel seen, supported, and encouraged to seek help when needed.
This event and production underscores Kaiser Permanente’s ongoing commitment to advancing youth mental health awareness and creating opportunities for honest, supportive dialogue among young people.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.6 million members in 9 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.
