A University of Worcester student has recorded a charity single to help support people struggling with their mental health.
Molly Smout has released her own version of the Coldplay song Fix You in aid of national charity PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide. She hopes to raise awareness of the difficulties young people face with their mental health.
“Everyone goes through tough times in their lifetime,” said the 19-year-old, of Powick. “I have previously suffered with mental health issues myself and sometimes you just need someone to talk to when you are feeling low. If someone who is going through a difficult time hears this song, I hope it helps and makes them realise that they are not alone.”
Molly, who is a first year student in Early Childhood, particularly wanted to record the single to pay tribute to her close friend, Alastair McDonald, who sadly took his own life in May last year.
She recorded the single alongside the Malvern-based Divas women’s choir, which she is a member of, at a recording studio in Malvern. The Choir also includes members of the University’s counselling service and former students of the University. The charity single will be free to play online, with a link encouraging listeners to donate.
“Before Alastair, I was completely unaware of the high number of suicides among young people in the UK,” said Molly. “All I want to do is raise awareness and help support people that may be struggling. Alastair always encouraged me to record my music and supported me, so this single is a perfect tribute to him.”
Molly, who has been singing for the last 13 years, had previously raised £350 for PAPYRUS through another song she recorded in her bedroom at Christmas, which she put online. Following this success, she decided to step up her efforts, so enlisted the choir’s help and a recording studio to create a more professional sound. She chose the song because Alastair, who she met while they were at Sixth Form together in Malvern, had been a fan of Coldplay so it gave the piece even more personal meaning. “When we sing that song he is always there with me,” she added.
After graduating, Molly hopes to pursue a career in child and adolescent mental health, to help young people who may be experiencing difficulties with their mental health. She is now in the process of becoming a PAPYRUS volunteer champion, working closely with the charity on future fundraising and giving talks to young people.
Clare-Marie Nield, a member of the choir and Senior Counsellor at the University of Worcester said: “I think what Molly is doing is fantastic, raising awareness around mental health is so important. I joined the choir along with my colleague, Kirsten Brown, who is also a counsellor at the University of Worcester. Singing can have such a positive impact on your mental health and we wanted to model the good behaviour that we try and teach our students in terms of wellbeing and looking after yourself.”
Launa Brooks, PAPYRUS Regional Manager for the West Midlands, said “Molly’s incredible support is helping us to reach out to many more young people who are struggling with life, as well as raising awareness of our national helpline HOPELINEUK and our work with schools and communities. She is a shining example of a young person helping others.”
The charity’s national helpline PAPYRUS HOPELINEUK 0800 068 41 41 text 07786 209 697 email pat@papyrus-uk.org provides practical help and support to young people who are struggling as well as concerned others.
To listen to the single, please visit the YouTube clip.
To donate to Molly’s campaign, please visit the fundraising page.