Original Rudeboys urge kids to talk
Original Rudeboys (back) pictured with some students after their performance. They peformed as part of 'Walk In My Shoes' campaign for mental health awareness in young adults. Mount Temple school, Malahide road, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn
Original Rudeboys (l-r; Sean Walsh, Robert Burch and Sean 'Neddy' Arkins) perform to students in Mount Temple as part of 'Walk In My Shoes' campaign for mental health awareness in young adults. Mount Temple school, Malahide road, Dublin
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Dublin hip-hop band The Original Rudeboys are visiting schools to encourage kids to talk about mental health.
The visits are particularly poignant as it marked the five-year anniversary of the death of a cousin of band member Neddy Arkins and close friend to all three. Keith Monaghan took his own life in 2009.
Message
Singer Rob Burch said they wanted to reach out to young people in particular to spread the mental health awareness message.
"It is something that is close to our hearts and it is such a sad thing to deal with, so we just want to push across to the next generation of young kids that they need to talk about it," he said.
Rob said there are other options available to young people if they find it difficult to talk to their friends or family.
"It is all about letting the kids know that no matter what, whatever circumstances they are in, there are organisations there that are just a phone call away," he said.
All proceeds from the band's upcoming single Never Alone are going towards suicide prevention charity Console and the Walk in my Shoes mental health awareness campaign.
The band will be making an appearance at 10 different schools around Dublin this week. 'Never Alone' is set for release on November 14.
hnews@herald.ie