Young Creatives Unite Together To Talk About #MentalHealth And Preventing Suicide

Last  Friday 31st May, an array of young and talented creatives came together for An Evening Of Performances, an industry-led panel discussion on Mental Health, in aid of PAPYRUS, the National Charity which helps prevent suicide among young people.

According to PAPYRUS, suicide is the biggest killer of young people – male and female – aged under 35 in the UK. Every year thousands of young individuals attempt or contemplate suicide, harm themselves or suffer alone, afraid to speak openly about how they are feeling.

The panel consisted of seven under-35 industry experts all from various creative fields,  who discussed the stigma around depression and suicide amongst young adults, with the aim to raise awareness of Mental Health. 

Hosting the panel for the evening was Creative Entrepreneur Am Golhar, who graduated from the prestigious Art School Central Saint Martin’s in London, who has been in the creative industry for over ten years, understanding and seeing the stigma of Mental Health, as well as sharing her own adversity in the industry. 

The Panel discussion was an extensive core of the event where industry experts shared their journey with the audience as well as an open Q&A discussion. 

Artist, Singer, and Songwriter Grace Rhodes, who attended the prestigious Laine Theatre Arts, and who will be releasing her first music single to the market  this June, shared her personal experience and challenges, being very close to someone struggling with Mental Health.  Alongside fellow Gospel Singer and Poet Destiny Blake, who shared the story of how poetry saved her at the age of 14 whilst  dealing with bullying and peer pressure where her poem ‘Choices’ was picked up by the BBC.

Suicide Prevention Trainer for PAPYRUS Paul Osbiston discussed how and why he became a trainer for the charity having previously worked in the music industry.  Paul shared how his work is now focused on training communities, educational staff, health workers and doctors in suicide prevention.  Singer and Mental Health Ambassador for World Youth Organsation Luke Haley talked about the ways in which Mental Health could be improved after dropping out from Laine Theatre Arts and why he is an ambassador for mental health and why individuals need to be themselves.

Dancer, Teacher and Choreographer Harkiran Virdee shared her experience with Mental Health within dancing and performing and the challenges she has faced.  Blogger and BBC Radio London Presenter Claira Hermet shared her experiences with death, grief, and mental health, having lost her mother and sister who died of breast cancer.

PAPYRUS was founded in 1997 by a mother, Jean Kerr, from Lancashire following the loss of her son to suicide. The Charity has also been a long-standing member of the government advisory groups in England and Wales on suicide prevention matters.

About An Evening Of Performance: A Charity Music Gig in Aid of  PAPYRUS, the National Charity which helps raise awareness to prevent young suicide. The evening consists of live music performances ranging from musical theatre and music industry professional performers and an interview discussion with industry guests.

About PAPYRUS: The national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. It was founded in 1997 by a mother, Jean Kerr, from Lancashire following the loss of her son to suicide. PAPYRUS was initially set up as the Parents’ Association for the Prevention of Young Suicide, hence the name PAPYRUS. Since 1997, PAPYRUS has continued to listen to and learn from the experiences of those personally touched by young suicide. Today, PAPYRUS works in many ways to prevent young suicide.