World Hip Hop Champion Dance Company Teams up

World Hip Hop Champion Dance Company Teams up with NZ Top Artists to Tour New Zealand to Help Raise Awareness Around Depression And Anxiety

I AM UNBREAKABLE is an inspirational tour and social media campaign that exists to raise awareness around depression and anxiety with young people throughout New Zealand. Today founders The Social Experience announce the wellbeing initiative with elite partners, The Lowdown, which is set to tour in May-June this year.

Positive messages are communicated through multi-media, real time social media engagement, talk show text in panel, and an all-star line-up which includes world hip hop champion dance company - Identity Dance Company and top New Zealand artists Nathan Phillips, Marley Sola, Jason Aileone and Grace Ikenasio. The text in talk show in Auckland will have MC Clinton Randell from The Edge breakfast show ‘Dom, Meg and Randell’, and Northland and Christchurch will have Raven Addei from Mai Nights.

“It exists to build strength, resilience and to inspire hope, empowering young people to discover their identity and purpose. We hope to encourage young people, their whānau and communities to reach out for help.

It aims to give young people the tools that they need to cope with or overcome depression and anxiety, as well as educate those closest to them, their whānau and friends on how to help. We hope to remove some of the barriers that limit young people experiencing these issues to reach out for help” says founder Natalie Williams.

The free 30-minute high school show is high energy and dynamic and will be touring South Auckland, Northland and Christchurch in May and June. Free community shows will be held in each region after each high school tour.

The events utilise one of the most powerful art forms in the world, hip hop, to engage young people in an effective way that resonates with them. All the content is clinically reviewed and approved by mental health professionals, and links to support services provided after the shows.

Key campaign messages include:

• It’s ok not to be ok, you are not alone
• There is always hope
• Reach out for help by telling your friends and whānau
• Talk to your high school counsellor
• Free text 5626 or call 1737, visit thelowdown.co.nz, reach out to a local community support group
• There is no shame in asking for help.

For friends and family, the key messages are that it’s good to support a friend or family member going through depression and anxiety, and let your loved ones know that you are there for them.

The concept was piloted by the founder in eight cities and reached over 25,000 young people, seeing a significant increase in young people reaching out for face to face help, text and phone support.

The talent involved is exceptional. Nathan Phillips runs artist development in New Zealand with NPV Vocals; Grace Ikenasio has been a finalist on The X-Factor and has been crowned the Beyoncé of New Zealand; Marley Sola and Jason Aileone were successful on The X-factor with boy band Moorhouse and have now launched solo careers. IDentity Dance Company have won multiple world hip hop dance titles and developed into one of the leading dance companies in New Zealand. Some of their 80 dancers have been in demand in Dubai, China, Japan and Europe.

The Social Experience is an agency that specialises in social influencer campaigns, digital strategies, partnerships, public relations and event management.
The Lowdown (www.thelowdown.co.nz) is a website to help young New Zealanders recognise and understand depression or anxiety. The Lowdown is part of the National Depression Initiative, which aims to reduce the impact of depression on the lives of New Zealanders. The programme is delivered by the Health Promotion Agency.

Check out www.iamunbreakable.co.nz

TOUR DATES

TOUR 1 - SOUTH AUCKLAND

High school tour
Tuesday 29th May – Friday 1st June 2018

Community Show
Saturday 2nd June 2018, 7:30pm
Vodafone BNZ Theatre
770 Great South Rd, Auckland

TOUR 2 – NORTHLAND

High school tour
Tuesday 5th – Friday 8th June 2018

Community Show
Saturday 9th June 2018, 5:30pm & 7:30pm
John Dalton Theatre, Turners Centre
43 Cobham Rd, Kerikeri

TOUR 3 – CHRISTCHURCH

High school tour
Tuesday 12th – Friday 15th June 2018

Community Show
Saturday 16th June 2018, 7:30pm
Isaac Theatre Royal
145 Gloucester Street, Christchurch

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