with pride the youth present
The numbers of young people suffering from some form of mental illness in Australia continue to grow as already stretched services grapple for a way to deal with the specific needs of kids in crisis.
One such referral group, the South Sydney Youth Services, is approaching the issue from a more creative perspective.
The results will be displayed at Mad Pride Youth, at The Factory on November 3, in an all-rapping, singing, theatrical event that is as much about raising the profile of mental illness as it is about shrugging off the stigma attached.
Ultimately it’s a way we can get mental health services who work with young people in NSW to engage their young people in creative projects, in a way which celebrates their creativity but also gives mainstream society an opportunity to hear their stories, event coordinator James Winter said.
We have at least 15 kids involved, and ultimately for them it’s a real risk to take. Most of them have never performed or come out publicly about accessing mental health services. But this is a show that really celebrates them and they just walk off stage with huge smiles.
info: Mad Pride Youth is on Monday November 3 at The Factory, 105 Victoria Rd, Enmore. For more information head to www.myspace.com/madpride_youth or contact Mardi at [email protected]. To get in touch with South Sydney Youth Services phone 9318 0539.
Kids get creative at Mad Pride Youth.
