A loud and clear message: The Campbelltown Performing Arts High School choir and Macarthur Gardens star Fred-Day perform at the launch of Hold Me Close, a song aimed at raising awareness about youth suicide. Pictures: Jeff de Pasquale
A loud and clear message: The Campbelltown Performing Arts High School choir and Macarthur Gardens star Fred-Day perform at the launch of Hold Me Close, a song aimed at raising awareness about youth suicide. Pictures: Jeff de Pasquale
"IF IT saves one person's life or gets two people to talk about depression — we've succeeded."
That's the gauge of success from Pat McGeown, who has produced a hip-hop song for Lifeline Macarthur to use to tackle youth depression and suicide.
Mr McGeown of radio station C91.3, former X-Factor contestant Frederico Ashton (Fred-Day) and the Campbelltown Performing Arts High School choir have teamed up to release Hold Me Close and a music video that is sure to have an impact.
"Lifeline deserves a lot of credit for being proactive about the issue, not reactive," Mr McGeown said.
"Not one person said 'no' when asked to help make this happen and that says a lot about the seriousness of youth depression and suicide."
Lifeline Macarthur's crisis support manager Jacky Moore says the song seeks to encourage young people to talk openly about their problems and to remove the stigma of mental health and suicide that prevails among people aged 16 to 25.
Mr McGeown said he knew many musicians, but knew Fred-Day would be the one to produce the goods.
The clip can be seen on YouTube. Search for the title and artist.