Get involved in promoting mental health

Almost half of the West Australian population will experience a mental disorder in their lifetime. This could be a friend, family member or even the lead singer of a band you love.

Local musicians are supporting the youth mental health project, Music Feedback: What if we talked about music the same way we talk about mental illness? They believe that rather than hiding mental illness, people should talk about any issues and seek help.

The project was initiated by the Department of Health, Mental Health and West Australian Music Industry Association (WAM).

Music Feedback targets 14-25 year olds and encourages them to:

• participate in music and healthy activities to improve their wellbeing
•  express themselves and connect with others
• talk openly about mental health and get help for any problems
• understand and support people with a mental illness
• study and work in mental health

Resources developed include:

• Music Feedback documentary featuring interviews with Gyroscope, Birds of Tokyo, Kill Devil Hills, End of Fashion, Abbe May, Yabu Band and Roly Skender and mental health nurses
• 20,000 CD/DVDs featuring songs by 25 WA musicians and the documentary

You can get involved by:

• sharing your experiences at the forum
• supporting family and friends to get help
• distributing the Music Feedback CD/DVDs at youth events
• downloading and sharing the band posters and wallpapers
• organising an event for Mental Health Week

WA musicians can get involved by:

• entering the WAM Song of the Year competition and Mentally Healthy song category
• uploading your songs and linking to this website
• providing a statement of support and photo for the website and media
• submitting songs and music videos to WAM for the 2010 CD/DVD compilation

Contact us for more information:
Mental Health Division
Department of Health
PO Box 8172
Perth Business Centre WA 6849
Phone: +61 8 9222 4099
Facsimile: +61 8 9222 2351
Email: mentalhealthreception.royalst@health.wa.gov.au