A group of friends and colleagues across the local creative scene today announce a concert event at The Telegraph Building on Royal Avenue, Belfast, to raise funds for mental health and suicide awareness charities. It is taking place on Saturday 28th March 2020 at 6 pm.
OK? is a music and arts festival in support of mental health awareness and suicide prevention. To celebrate community and to encourage asking the question… Are you ok?
It will showcase some of Northern Ireland and Ireland’s most renowned and exciting artists, from globe-trotting titans ASIWYFA (And So I Watch You From Afar) to Mercury Award-nominated, Choice Music Prize winner SOAK, local heroes General Fiasco, New Pagans and Junk Drawer to the legendary David Holmes and Phil Kieran, from some of the most vital and incendiary new bands (Pillow Queens, Problem Patterns, Cherym, Catalan!, Gnarkats) to songwriting that has spanned the world (Joshua Burnside, Jordan Adetunji), OK? aims to bring us all together in a show of community, love, support and awareness, to check in with one another and ask are we OK?
After suffering a devastating loss at Christmas ASIWYFA and friends partnered with charities Aware NI, PIPS and Help Musicians to raise money for mental health awareness and suicide prevention charities. We have all experienced some level of mental health issue. Anxiety, depression, trauma, the list goes on. Most of us know someone who has died because of these issues and have seen the devastating impact it has on those left behind. OK? aims to help people feel supported and able to reach out for help.
Organizer Rory Friers says – “At times in my life I’ve really struggled with my mental health, the community of music and the celebration of friends has always helped me find my way back. I have my reasons for why I need something like OK? right now, other people will have theirs, so whether you’re coming to this show to support the cause, support the music or to find some support yourself, let’s make the loudest most positive noise we can and remind ourselves that we’re surrounded by people who care”.
Organizer Helen Sloan says – “This event is a necessary coming together, through one of art’s great unifiers – music, to reinforce a sense of community and let everyone know there are available support networks for those in need.”
Aware NI – Lesley Wright, Community Fundraiser in AWARE says “AWARE is delighted to be involved in OK?. We are so pleased to see the musical community coming together in support of mental health in Northern Ireland. We would like to thank all involved in organising the event for choosing to support AWARE. Any funds raised will help us to continue to support people living with depression in Northern Ireland.”
Tickets available at www.shine.net
CHARITIES
AWARE NI
AWARE is the Depression Charity for Northern Ireland. Support groups welcome people with depression and bipolar disorder as well as careers for people with the illness. We also deliver Information Outreach sessions and attend community events to give more information about AWARE and our services.
PIPS
PIPS Charity is here to provide support to individuals who are considering, or who have at some point considered, ending their own lives.
HELP MUSICIANS
Help Musicians UK is the leading UK charity for musicians of all genres, from starting out through to retirement.
The Lifeline number is 0808 808 8000 and lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is a free helpline service, the website address is www.lifelinehelpline.info.
For Further information on support, please see link to: Directories of Services to help improve mental health and emotional wellbeing across NI: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/directory-services-help-improve-mental-health-and-emotional-wellbeing
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