raising awareness in UK music: rapman

Very often in the music industry, the more amount of women, sex and money you gain in your possession is perceived to increase your worth, hence why they are such common subjects that are written about. I would be a hypocrite to say that I wouldn't listen to it myself, these subjects are popular and can gain you a lot of publicity. It’s because of this, however, that I feel the need to acknowledge and give my respect to specific UK grime artists like Rapman who have gone beyond these common subjects to cover more controversial issues within his music such as domestic abuse, mental health and male suicide to be precise. 

Rollercoaster is a music video in partnership with SBTV depicting a story around the character of Clinton and the problems he faces mentally with suicide after his girlfriend left their relationship. As a young and influential musician from London it's easy to conform to the pressures of society, so for young guys in the industry like Rapman to voluntarily approach these important subjects using their music as a tool, I can only show my appreciation by raising awareness myself. Growing up in a household where mental health was always discussed and important within my family, I almost feel obliged to.

                                 

After watching Jamal Edwards MBE, co-founder of SBTV’s short documentary for The Guardian based on male suicide which featured Rapman himself, some facts mentioned surrounding 

the issue shocked me. Over 46% of men suffering with mental health concerns are admittedly ashamed or embarrassed to talk about it, whilst a study by Telegraph Men proved that suicide alone is the biggest cause of death in men under 50. A lot of people are stuck on the idea that if you confide in someone, be it family or friend, that you will be dismissed and told to fix up. The issue with modern masculinity is real, and if it is not exposed by as many people as possible, more bodies will become victim to corrupt mental states.

   Jamal Edwards Breaks Taboos Around Men's Mental Health - Video

                                                

A report by the charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) covered the daily pressures that men and women face concluding that men significantly struggle to cope, keeping their problems hidden from others with the fear that it will jeopardise their manliness and masculinity when restricting your thoughts and bottling up your emotions will cause more damage and inevitably lead to mental destruction.

We as a community of people need to raise awareness for these issues that are overlooked, to change the way we view and act on them. Look out for your friends and family. Check up on them frequently, even to drop a simple text message. If you suspect anything or if their behaviour seems strange or different, approach them on it, lend an ear and your words. And if you are personally suffering from mental health concerns, recognise the symptoms and signs, acknowledge it, take steps to changing it, the first being to talk openly about it. Your mental health is so important.

For further information visit www.time-to-change.org.uk

Helpful Websites:
www.mind.org.uk
www.sane.org.uk
www.youngminds.org.uk