Sharing with spoken word

Young people share their experiences with mental health.

Youth are using the art of spoken word to share their stories about dealing with mental health challenges.

Rap, poetry and music are some of the art forms you might hear at Let’s Talk About It at Corbans Estate Arts Centre on August 10.

Martin Sutcliffe, director at the arts centre, said it had run the series since 2013, about four times a year.

The event was about recognising many young people ‘‘struggle a lot’’ with mental health issues.

The idea was to create an intimate event about them sharing their own personal experiences with mental health.

‘‘We try to also to bring in . . . how they are healing themselves.’’

Sutcliffe said challenges young people faced could also be talked about.

People should come along because although it sounded like a sad topic it was actually uplifting, he said.

The courage of young people being open about challenges they face and talking about how they were dealing was admirable, he said. Sutcliffe said about 50 to 60 people came along to the events.

About eight to 10 young people would present on the night.

Performers were usually between the ages of 15 up to about 24, he said.

The performers were prearranged and invited to perform, he said.

The event was free and at Corbans Estate Arts Centre on August 10 at 7pm.

It was recommended for ages 13 and over.

For more information go to Facebook and search ‘‘Let’s Talk About It NZ’’.