A rap video made by local students in Wellington is tipped to go viral after it hits the big screen at the NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout at Dubbo this weekend, and it is all for a good cause, spreading the word about Mental Health Month.
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Already it has had a record number of hits on Facebook.
The primary and high school students worked with Desert Pea Media and Mission Australia to write their own lyrics, and this week they had a sneak peek at the end result with Mission Australia.
Set at iconic places like the Wellington Caves, their video, titled Hope, showcased a lot of local talent. The students worked with Bruce Carr to blend traditional Aboriginal dance with rapping, singing and more.
Elder Col Hill said he was very proud of the kids who put their talent towards tackling a big issue for their generation.
As the title suggests, their message was one of hope, and the importance of talking to others about their problems.
He said as young people increasingly faced mental health issues, he hoped their message would make parents and the community take notice.
Mission Australia support worker Sam Orth said while the students were shy and nervous on their first day with Desert Pea Media, they quickly forged strong friendships and came out of their shell to create something stunning.
"They have really stood up and taken on leadership role in the community," she said.
"They are getting the message out that it's OK to talk to each other and help your mob out."
There will be two public screenings at Wellington.
Everyone is encouraged to come along to see it at the Mental Health Forum on October 12, and a special launch at the PCYC on October 16 from 3pm to 5pm.
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