A Maitland DJ will transform a local pub into a beacon for mental health awareness this weekend.
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DJs Skarlett Fever and Seiren will host Beyond Beats at Maitland’s Belmore Hotel on Friday, September 30 from 9pm.
The event will raise funds for Beyond Blue’s suicide prevention initiatives (half of ticket sales will be directly donated), but Fever said awareness was the real goal.
“I just want to talk to people about [mental health],” Fever said.
“It’s good to raise money but being open about it is important.”
Beyond Beats will feature representatives, merchandise and information from mental health services including Headspace and Beyond Blue. DJs Blazer, Iris and Skoob will also play.
Fever said she and the others were inspired to take a pro-active role in promoting mental health and suicide prevention after personal encounters with mental health issues.
“One of the [other] DJs has lost people to suicide,” she said.
“I’ve suffered from disorders since I was 15 – I’m 23 now.”
Fever checked herself into hospital earlier this year to get help she’d been putting off. She said she hoped she could talk other people into doing the same.
“Some people make it better when they talk about [mental health]. I want to be one of those people,” she said.
“I’ve been sharing my story so people don’t feel ashamed [to seek help too].”
Fever said she felt attitudes around mental health were changing but stigma was still a barrier for those seeking recovery.
“The last few years it’s been getting better,” she said.
“You’re always feeling you don’t know how others will react. It’s confronting, what I had to talk about.
“But R U OK day was everywhere this year.
“People are realising if [mental illness] was a broken arm they would want to help.”
Information can be found on the Beyond Beats Facebook page. If you need help call Lifeline 13 11 14.