‘Speak Up’ to premiere at Invisible Wind Factory for World Suicide Prevention Day

Invisible Wind Factory in Liverpool is set to host a moving event dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.

Organised by dancer and mental health advocate Laura Macy, in association with the Samaritans of Liverpool and Merseyside, ‘Speak Up’ is a powerful video project aimed at changing the language around suicide and preventing further loss.

The project is dedicated to the memory of Djaro Benjamin Gobets, a well known member of the community of those involved in the project, who died by suicide.

The event will showcase a screening of the video project, which has been created to raise awareness and encourage open conversations about mental health. The project, a collaborative effort involving dancers, mental health advocates and creative artists, aims to shed light on the subject of suicide through the healing power of movement and music. Listeners from the Samaritans of Liverpool and Merseyside will be present to offer support and information throughout the event.

Rachel Howley, development manager for Samaritans Liverpool and Merseyside, said:

“We are proud to be hosting this inspiring event encouraging people to speak up about their mental health. Our callers often tell us how much better they feel after talking about what is on their minds, but we are all too aware how difficult some people can find opening up about the things that are troubling them.

“That is why the message of speaking up is so important. At Samaritans, our trained listeners are on hand to speak to anyone who is going through a difficult time, and callers can talk to us in confidence and without judgement. We are always here.”

In addition to the video premiere, the evening will feature live performances from the Liverpool Indie Choir, talented local soloists David Alexander, and Meg Hulse.

The event will feature a headline performance by acclaimed singer Martha Goddard, a passionate advocate of mental health support. The performances, each chosen to reflect the theme of hope and resilience, will offer attendees an opportunity to reflect, connect, and find comfort in shared experiences.

“Projects like this have the power to break down barriers and challenge the stigmas that silence conversations around mental health,” said Laura Macy, the event’s host and a passionate advocate for suicide prevention. “With ‘Speak Up,’ we’re using the universal language of movement and music to reach out, create understanding, and encourage openness. It’s about changing the way we talk about suicide and, ultimately, saving lives.”

This premiere is not just a tribute to Djaro Benjamin Gobets but also a call to action, urging the community to come together in support of those struggling with mental health challenges. Join us for an evening of remembrance, music, and hope, as we honour the lives lost to suicide and strive to create a brighter future. 

‘Speak Up’ will premiere at Invisible Wind Factory on 10 September 2024 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £12.50.

To book your tickets to Speak Up click here.

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