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Mental Health Awareness Week: Suicide prevention song released by Folkestone based Living Warriors Project

A moving song using words of people who have come close to ending their lives has been officially released today.

Singer-songwriter Anil Sebastian, who has experienced these feelings himself, created the song using words of nine others.

Part of the Living Warriors Project based in Folkestone, the contributors have written books, describing their journey away from suicidal thoughts.

Anil said: “It’s been a genuine privilege to work on the project, listening to and sharing the voices and experiences of those of us who have wanted to end our lives.

"Surviving suicidal thoughts is something we should celebrate, but it is not the end of the challenges we face.”

Another of the contributors, TJ Frost, said: “I am 47 and this is the first time I have felt truly heard.”

Sally Ann Cranage, said: "I thought I had dealt with the past but Living Warriors helped me release the shame I still felt. It's the best project I've ever been involved in."

Based in Folkestone Library, the project space was built from scratch, with the walls covered in paper.

Anil Sebastian created the song LOOK UP with the help of other Living Warriors Project members
Anil Sebastian created the song LOOK UP with the help of other Living Warriors Project members

This is a space for people to express their thoughts and feelings about the struggled they've been through.

Writings on the walls have been used for the song.

The group has also published an anthology titled Living Warriors.

Arts charity Living Words thought up the idea of the project which ultimately led to the creation of this moving song.

It is funded through Kent and Medway Sustainability and Transformation Partnership’s (STP) ‘Saving Lives’ suicide prevention fund.

Lauretta Kavanagh, lead for mental health at Kent and Medway STP, said: “I am delighted Living Warriors has helped people who came near to ending their lives and the people close to them on their healing journey.

"I support this approach being used more widely across the country in the future.”

An apt time to highlight the challenges faced by those who battle suicidal thoughts, Mental Health Awareness Week begins today.

LOOK UP is available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon and all other major music platforms.

Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone

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