VicHealth’s Future Healthy teams up with The Big Anxiety to present a conversation and performance event that explores the necessity of community led approaches to mental health literacy. Meet members of the Pasefika, South Sudanese and South Asian (Sri Lankan Tamil) communities, who bring together culture, spoken word, music, dance and video to support talking about mental health. And in ways that work for them.

Panel

• Ngor Manyang: Professional basketball player at the NBL1 and now training with SEM Phoenix National Basketball League
• Jagesh Panchal: Founder of Shakti Mental Health and advocate for South Asian communities
• Rita Seumanutafa-Palala: Pasefika community leader and founder and director of VĀSĀ Consultancy
• Miya Soori: Australian born Eelam-Tamil individual from Sri Lanka with a background in Public Health, and a strong commitment to eliminating stigma around mental health within marginalised communities
• Ez Eldin Deng: Filmmaker and youth worker working with the South Sudanese community

Performers

• Achol Juk: South Sudanese poet from Sydney who explores themes of identity crises, mental health, conflict and wars
• Jacob Mamer (aka Baby T): South Sudanese upcoming rapper/musician working to shift the narratives and transition from the aggressive American rap to more inspirational rap that relates to life in Australia
• Akwal Magek: Spoken word artist from Melbourne’s West
• Damon Paraha (aka Nomad): Award winning rapper/hip hop artist of Samoan and Māori descent from Melbourne’s West
• Bol Agok aka Rockstar Bola: Rockstar Bola is an established pillar in Melbourne’s music scene and wider African community

Plus, short films Heartsick by Achol Juk and Helping Hand by young Tamil Sri Lankan film maker, Shuvethigah Antony.

Food provided after the event with conversation encouraged until 6:15pm.

What is Future Healthy?

Future Healthy is a collaboration. A conversation. And a community of young people telling us exactly what needs to be done to make happier, healthier living a reality for as many of us as possible. We’re setting young people up for their best possible future – by creating communities where children and young people can grow up active, connected, and healthy.

Because change is made together.