Perth Voice Interactive

KYLE BARTLETT says he’ll run out of fingers if he tries to count how many people close to him have suicided.

Having lost another family member just recently, he’s asking the artists behind the December 5 Raise the Roof gig to devote the night to suicide awareness.

An indigenous hip-hop artist and promoter, he says many people in his community and circle of friends just don’t talk about suicide and depression, and that makes it a lonely place for people who are dealing with it.

“The main problem is people not having support, and other people not understanding what they’re going through.”

He’s hoping that getting it out in the open will make it easier for people to raise their troubles and for others to listen. “It’s a good thing to show everybody that it all comes down to unity: If we all stand together and show support in that way I think people will be more receptive.”

A support worker for a men’s hall, where he works with newly released prisoners to get back into the community, he says “just recently I’ve done a suicide prevention workshop, and they said to speak up about it and don’t keep it inside:.

Suicide prevention agency One Life is on board and has donated pamphlets and cards to give out on the night to anyone who needs a hand, and health service Derbarl Yerrigan and Noongar Radio are also backing him.

Mr Bartlett notes a lot of local hip-hop doesn’t follow the materialistic, violent and misogynistic tropes of popular US gangsta rap: “I think the local and Indigenous artists have more concentration on spreading the good messages: the music is uplifting, they want to help and create confidence.”

Musos on board are Vanessa Hopes, Jamahl Ryder, Traditional MC, DJ Brainchiold, DJ Edub and there’s a dance off and freestyle cypher comp. It’s at the Civic Hotel Inglewood on December 5 from 8pm, $10 on the door.

by DAVID BELL