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Stars back school's mental health work
A lifeline project to reach suicidal teenagers through music is being backed by Britain's top celebrities.
Pupils at Thornhill School are working on creating a ten-track CD with accompanying music video, raising awareness of mental health problems.
Supported by Comic Relief, the scheme has won backing from comedy duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, who are recording a trailer for it, while Radio One DJ Chris Moyles has agreed to play the tracks on air.
The project began last year with the help of Graeme Smith, a member of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust, who works closely with young people and their families affected by mental health problems.
Graeme aims to work positively with the youngsters and asks a range of people, including adults, who have been affected by suicide or mental health distress, to go into the school and work with the children.
He said: "The region has the highest rates of suicide, so it is urgent we address the problems. Young people find it hard to talk about their feelings, but we can get positive messages across through music."
Graeme said the recent tragedy at Bridgend where 17 teenagers took their own lives in a year sadly highlights the extent of how young people can suffer.
Everyone involved in writing and recording the Sunderland songs, which are in a range of music styles including hip hop and rock, have been affected by mental health issues.
The music covers topics such as eating disorders, bullying and depression.
Graeme said: "By taking the people who use our service into the schools we can help break down stigmas attached to mental health issues."
The young people at Thornhill School have also set up their own website, www. yourlifeline.org.uk where people can get help and advice about their problems.
The video to accompany the song was filmed at Doxford Park Health and Racquet Club.
Once the CD is finished people will be able to download it from the website and also from iTunes and all the money raised will go to Comic Relief.
Money raised through Comic Relief is often put into schemes which help tackle the problems of mental health among vulnerable people.
How this money is spent will be featured in an hour-long BBC1 documentary, Surviving Suicide, which Graeme and the Thornhill kids have been involved with and will be shown on Wednesday at 10.40pm.
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Weather for Sunderland
Saturday 04 February 2012
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