BlueDay2008: Reach Out & Connect

by Jye on Oct 10, 2008 with 3 Comments

BlueDay2008 or World Mental Health Day is on October 10.  A day when the tech and social media community in Australia can work together to raise the awareness of anxiety and depression.

You may have noticed many Twitter avatars turning blue over the past week to rally support and awareness. So here’s what I’m asking you:

I want you to talk your friends and colleagues — find out more about them.  Many who suffer from depression or anxiety are just waiting for that one person to reach out to them — maybe it can be you.  I’ve been there many times.

In Sydney from around 5pm, will be a STUB event and part of Official Friday Drinks at Grace77Bar on the Mezzanine level, cnr King and York.

A lot of my inspiration for lyrics for Sonixtrip were originally born out of this, and now they’re focused around the experiences I’ve had fighting back.  The lyrics below are actually from my new solo project and I thought I’d share them with you.

I had forgotten just how good
This catharsis could feel
I should have known
I couldn’t let the lesions heal

It let’s me float, it let’s me fly
And it dissolves away
The apathy, that shadow
Looming in my day

The rain pours down, the dam is breaking
And everything I didn’t feel is taking
I can feel again it slowly making
The nothingness leaves and it leaves me shaking

Also of interest:

About Jye

Jye Smith is currently the Digital Strategist for Weber Shandwick Australia. Ranked in B&Ts 30 Under 30, he's a regular keynote speaker and workshop facilitator who specialises in digital strategy, social media marketing, and change management.

3 Comments / Leave a comment »
  • Gavin Heaton Oct 10, 2008 at 14:50

    Nice post, Jye. A lot of people turn to creativity when they are feeling overwhelmed and anxious. Hopefully it is in that creativity that they find a way to connect with others and not turn even more inward.

  • kristarella Oct 11, 2008 at 14:39

    It can take a lot to get past the day to day small talk, but it’s important because we all need more than that. Thanks for the encouragement to do so!

  • Jye Oct 13, 2008 at 15:48

    @Gavin: Thanks, Gavin. It’s definitely been the key to unlocking my anxiety/depression. It’s a key part of my life.

    @Kristarella: No need to thank me :) The person you reach out to will thank you plenty. Do let me know how it goes.

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