Not-for-profit organisation Brown Girl Woke hopes to increase awareness on suicide and depression through a partnership with four musicians and Samoan Counselling Association.

Last week four talented musical talents entered Samoa to spend time with youth and to talk of their journeys to emphasise the importance of talking about one’s own problems.

Artists Annie Grace, Lavina Williams, Elijah Tavai and Faith Sosene – who are musicians in their own right – have partnered with the Brown Girl Woke and the Samoan Counselling Association to share testimonies on their journeys as well as to engage youth on the complex and challenging topic of suicides and depression.

St Mary's College, Leififi College, Samoa College and the Robert Louis Stevenson Secondary School were the lucky lot to get a whiff of the talented individuals.

According to the Brown Girl Woke Director and Founder, Maluseu Doris Tulifau the singers sang gospel music and each gave their testimonies to the students who were full of awe. 

"A lot of the students cried and talked about their own problems," she said. "The Samoan Counselling Association was also there to show the students that if they needed help they could reach out to them.”

Asked what she would advise the youth, Maluseu said it is important that they can trust someone to talk to.

"They are not alone and as youth we have all gone through obstacles but that is what will mould them to becoming great citizens," she said.

"We also need our youth to speak up and tell someone they trust so we can help.”

In one of her performances, Lavina Williams shared with her fans on social media that she was excited to be in Samoa.

"I wanted to sing this song because of the message that resonates strongly with me, being a half #samoan women I feel culturally we are taught not to speak up, and just #Listen. 

“We have lost our voice to speak up on our own about issues that are killing our young generation and community.

"We must teach and normalise this conversation, break that generational cycle, #Listen to the silent cries of our nation and instil in these young kings and queens that it is ok to express your feelings and then take the necessary steps to build a much safer space for the future of our people.”

According to Maluseu, many young men commit suicide because they cannot look after their families. Other reasons for suicide in Samoa include relationships, parental divorce and family matters.