ViBes'08 – Voices through the Arts
Woodlands Civic Plaza Open Area on 2 February 2008
Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information
Nanyang Technological University
50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore

ViBes'08 – Voices through the Arts

‘Sing, Play, Dance – to combat mental health stigma and discrimination – to feel good and be best!’

In line with the recent government’s focus on mental health issues, Final Year Students from Nanyang Technological University, Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information have launched ViBes'08 – Voices through the Arts, a four months art-in-health campaign to promote positive mental health among youths in Singapore.

This is a project organized in collaboration with Silver Ribbon (Singapore), a nonprofit organisation whose mission is to combat mental health stigma, encourage early treatment and help people with mental illness integrate back to community.

The campaign consists of three components – ViBes’08-Song-writing Competition, ViBes’08 – 10 Minute Play and ViBes’08 – Voices through the Arts Finale. Through initiatives, it is hoped that the concept of mental health will be made less abstract to youths and to also engage them in a learning process through entertaining mediums. In fact, a survey conducted by the students revealed that there is a lack of awareness among youths regarding important mental health issues and the available channels to seek help.

(1) ViBes’08 – Song-writing Competition is an island-wide themed competition that provides an opportunity for youths and mental health consumers to articulate their inner thoughts and feelings as a way to relieve stress. It is already open for participation. Contestants will need to submit their entries based on any of the themes: Stress, Depression and Support. There are two categories, namely Category A for lyrics and tune compositions and Category B for lyrics-only compositions using the tune provided by the organizers. The six short-listed finalists who will be competing live at the Finale event will each receive prizes sponsored by Echo Beats Music Production, CHIMEI and Black Hair Salon.

(2) ViBes’08 – 10 Minute Play, stands out as a play acted by youths for youths, focusing on stress, a common problem among many students today. The play not only creates a relaxed atmosphere for youths to learn about mental health issues, but also encourages participation through a Q&A session after the play. Students from tertiary institutions are invited to audition for the roles and actual performance for the play will take place in 10 selected schools in the first two weeks of January 2008.

(3) The highlight of the campaign, ViBes’08 – Voices through the Arts Finale, serves as a finale. Slated to be held at Woodlands Civic Plaza Open Area on 2 February 2008, it is a day event consisting of various stage performances such as campus jam bands and celebrity performances, as well as off-stage activities including exhibition and interactive booths. The Finale will wrap up the song-writing competition as the six finalists vie for the champion title and is also a platform for youths to gain greater insight into mental health knowledge.

The ViBes’08 – Voices through the Arts Campaign is supported by Central Singapore CDC and National Youth Council - The Young ChangeMakers.

For further information, please contact:
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website: www.vibes08.com

Text Edited by Ai San Yip. Information Courtesy of Vibes08 and Nanyang Technological University. All Rights reserved.