Music to challenge stigma

Music to challenge stigma

MEDIA RELEASE

24 April 2013

Community radio stations across the country are in for a treat with the distribution of a CD that promotes mental wellness and challenges stigma.

Singer Johnny Matteson’s latest offering, Song of the Streets, is a collection of songs drawn from his own life experiences and passion for spreading positive messages about mental health.

Johnny’s bio and CD have been posted to 33 community radio stations across New Zealand, with support from Like Minds, Like Mine, a programme committed to reducing the stigma and discrimination that can be associated with mental illness.

Song of the Streets was released in 2011 and is regarded as Johnny’s strongest body of work yet.

The self-confessed musical maverick, who has experience of bipolar disorder, wants to encourage positive dialogue around mental health in communities.

He has devoted the past two decades to motivating and entertaining those with experience of mental illness, and their family and friends.

The album followed on from Johnny’s significant contribution to The Insatiable Moon, a New Zealand-made movie in which he performed, contributed music and served as mental health advisor.

Like Minds, Like Mine is an educational programme funded by the Ministry of Health and the Health Promotion Agency and is guided by the Like Minds National Plan.

ENDS

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