Irish dance stars launch #StopSuicide project to raise mental health awareness

Irish dance stars Fusion Fighters have announced their latest project, which will help raise awareness of mental health issues.

Fusion Fighters are one of the top Irish dance troupes in the world and have built a strong reputation over the years both for their creativity and their championing of worthy causes.

The troupe’s latest initiative sees them looking to raise awareness of one of the most important issues out there – preventing suicide.

The first project in the series is called ‘Be The Voice’ #StopSuicide.

It involves over 50 Irish dance students from studios throughout DC, Maryland and Virginia.

The dancers collaborated with Fusion Fighters, to create a dance video for the ‘Be the Voice’ project.

The aim is to raise awareness and support for the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

The AFSP is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide, through education, community programs, research, and advocacy.

Troupe leader Chris Naish said: “The Fusion Fighters are thrilled to participate in the ‘Be the Voice’ dance project to support AFSP.

“Mental health awareness and suicide prevention are global issues that we’re truly passionate about.

“We hope that projects like ‘Be the Voice’ help everyone in our community feel safe talking about mental health, and most importantly, asking for assistance whenever they need it.”

In the 2017, AFSP published its Youth Risk Behaviours Survey, which revealed 7.4% of youngsters in grades 9-12 reported that they had made at least one suicide attempt in the past 12 months

Female students attempted suicide almost twice as often as their male counterparts.

Event organiser and McGrath Morgan Academy dance student Sophia Rankin has personal experience of how important it is to raise awareness and let people know that they don’t need to suffer alone.

She said: “This year I learned that one of my close friends had been struggling for years with severe depression and thoughts of suicide.

“My friend stayed silent out of shame and fear of rejection. I hope with ‘Be the Voice’ we can end the stigma and encourage people to talk about mental health, because it impacts all of us.”

Take a look at the video below.

Please click here to support the fundraising campaign

Irish dance stars launch #StopSuicide project to raise mental health awareness

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