Mental Health Awareness Week

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week! In the North East of England over a third of people (37%) experienced suicidal thoughts or feelings because of stress, compared to 32% nationwide. Key Group, Runaway Samba, used their Stage 3 Key Project to do something about this and raise awareness of the cause.

Runaway Samba invited local people to come along and take part in an expressive musical workshop and songwriting session. They set out to bring together musicians in their community to not only share musical ideas, but also help groups get involved and be part of something bigger together. 

The group then brought their new found skills and knowledge together to raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention for a huge fundraising band night. Money raised on the night supported the suicide prevention services provided by the If U Care Share charity foundation, dedicating the event to the memory of Lewis Hardy who tragically took his own life in February 2018. Complete with marketing, outreach, original concept, organisation and demonstrating a keen awareness of the critical importance of mental health, accessibility and overcoming rural isolation to benefit the community as a whole.

Runaway Samba not only raised awareness of suicide prevention and showed others that there are many people they can turn to, but their brilliant band night raised over £530 for suicide prevention services that will help more people from the region in the future too.

Well done to Runaway Samba!!