Skunnered set to star at mental health gig
Shotts upstarts Skunnered will be among the bands playing a live music event in aid of a mental health charity based in Newarthill.
The three-piece punk outfit will take to the stage for a Feels FM gig which takes place at the Glo Centre in Motherwell this Friday night.
Proceeds will go to the You Are My Sunshine Charity which was set up in memory of Gemma Jones, from Newarthill, who struggled with mental health difficulties.
Gemma, 29, had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder prior to her death in 2017.
It’s recognised as the most common personality disorder but the treatment required — Dialectical Behaviour Therapy — wasn’t available to her on the NHS in Lanarkshire at the time.
Launched in 2018 You Are My Sunshine provides guidance, advice and signposting to other services from Gemma’s Mental Health Hub at Brannock High School.
The fundraising music event has been organised by Newarthill’s Reeltime Music who in 2018 began a series of consultations with young people in North Lanarkshire about the positive impact that music can have on mental wellbeing.
Working together with young people they came up with the idea of creating an event championing the role music can play in their lives.
Reeltime’s work in this field has previously been recognised by Feels FM campaign organisers See Me.
Managed by SAMH and the Mental Health Foundation, See Me was set up to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination in Scotland.
Skunnered drummer David Russell said: “This gig is a brilliant opportunity to spread awareness of mental health.
“We’ve worked with Reeltime Music for a number of years now and been involved in many of their events.
“Their workshops are very friendly and help kids learn about music performance and creating music that can help them come out of their shell.
“You Are My Sunshine is a very safe place for people who are struggling to go to or contact, and they offer a variety of services that could benefit them.”
Skunnered will be joined by Reeltime project The Young Sound, Coatbridge band The Drive, Cats with Glasses, and Tempo. Each artist has selected one song from a publicly-generated playlist as part of their set.
The songs also feature in a series of videos — filmed by pupils from Brannock High School and Taylor High School in Motherwell. Entry to the event which starts at 7pm on Friday, August 10, is by way of a £4 donation.