Music, Young People and Mental Health - part 4: Celebrating Resilience

SInce my last post, More Music has continued to support the mental health and well being of the young people with whom we work. Key members of our team are now trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid and act as Mental Health Champions within the organisation. We are members of the Mental Health Champions Network, a peer supported group of local professionals from schools, statutory and charitable organisations, which offers many benefits including sharing resources and access to free training opportunities. It is also an invaluable opportunity to network and develop joined up partnership projects such as Chameleon. 

Following a meeting of minds at a Mental Health Champions Network gathering during the summer, we have since been working in partnership with members of the Lancaster and Morecambe Child and Adolescent Mental Health service (CAMHS) and other key charities supporting young people in the area such as the Prop Up Project and Lancashire Youth Challenge on a youth leadership project called Chameleon - a unique event showcasing local young people’s talents and celebrating their ability to use creative arts to strengthen their emotional resilience and “bounce back” from life’s challenges.'

Chameleon has evolved from the coming together of young leaders aged 14-25  who have been meeting regularly throughout the autumn term at More Music, developing skills in stage management, marketing and communication whilst gaining an insight into the technical side of events. They have also explored the challenges that young people face in their everyday lives and the importance of developing coping strategies, such as engagement in creative activties. The culmination of this 10 week project will be 'Chameleon', an event that will demonstrate the innate strength and energy that young people have to overcome adversity and aims to remove the stigma surrounding young people’s mental health by celebrating confidence and creativity.

A call out for acts was made to young people across the local community resulting in a fantastic response from all kinds of  artists from musicians to magicians and everything in between.

Chameleon is such an exciting project. It has provided a great opportunity to bring young people  from across the district together who may never have previoulsy met. They have been working hard to plan the night, bringing great energy and ideas whilst developing new skills and making friends in a safe and supported environment.

Chameleon will be held at More Music on the 7th December 2018 Tickets are £5 in advance, available from: moremusic.org.uk or £6 on the door.

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A Chameleon changes colour to adapt to whatever environment it finds itself in.