'Magical' event raises awareness on depression

Tomorrow, Stones Throw on Mannings Hill Road will come alive with another staging of 'Magic', a bimonthly musical event that focuses on the issue of depression.

Apart from music, there are also conversations at each event. Tomorrow's event will feature live performances from acts such as GiHRL, The Grei Show and Five Steez.

The project is spearheaded by Angelique Cohen, who told The STAR that the event aims at breaking the stigmas surrounding the issue of depression and mental illness.

"I personally battle with depression and I didn't think there was enough being done. At one point in time I tried to commit suicide, and in addition to that, I would do self-harm and other things connected to depression," she said.

According to Cohen, since its inception, little over a year ago, Magic has given many individuals an opportunity to speak openly about their own struggles with depression and to encourage each and everyone to be vocal instead of suffering in silence.

It also sensitises those on the support end not to trivialise the condition, and to be able to identify the signs in others and offer the appropriate assistance.

"I had a good friend who I would say 'walked me away from Heaven's door', but she eventually took her own life. It was always my intention to do something to tackle depression," she said. "I knew I had to deal with what I was going through and to help others in a similar situation, but I couldn't decide what my offering would be. When my friend took her life, everything was aligned and I realised that this was my purpose."

Hitting rock bottom more than once and being faced with many dark periods, Cohen said she often uses music as an escape.

"I always hear people talk about hitting rock bottom, but I have experienced a bottom below rock bottom. I just never thought I would make it through without music. It is healing and I remember just always having in my ear plugs and just listening to songs that would calm me," she said.

Past performers at Magic include Sugah, Stephanie Havoc, Della Manley, Pam Hall, Bugle and Arri Lopez.