Singers Sarimah Ibrahim and Damian Mikhail of VE are sending a message of hope to those with suicidal thoughts, with their song Harapan
THE Covid-19 pandemic has led to a rise in suicide cases as more people are experiencing hardship after losing everything that's dear to them.
This predicament moved singer and TV host Sarimah Ibrahim, compelling her to come up with an anthem of love for sad souls.
The 43-year-old artiste decided to return to recording music and roped in an old friend, Damian Mikhail Seet of VE fame, to sing a duet for the first time.
The song titled Harapan was released on Sept 10 in conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day.
Sarimah describes it as their "humanitarian gesture" in urging Malaysians to "choose life".
HEALING THE SOUL
Damian, 43, composed the song and co-wrote the lyrics with Sarimah a month ago, describing it as a motivational tune which spoke directly to Malaysians who felt suicidal.
"When Sarimah suggested that we work together on a song that lends a hand to people with suicidal thoughts, I immediately said yes," said Damian in a recent Zoom interview.
"I can strongly relate to a song like this as I have friends who have had suicidal thoughts. Thank God they triumphed and are doing well today."
Damian said that one should not judge people with suicidal thoughts as no one knew what they had gone through.
"Each person has his own personal problems, and it is not for us to judge them. All of us have our ups and downs, and while some bounce back from setbacks, others falter."
Damian added that suicidal people needed to be reminded that they were not alone, and there were many people who cared for them.
"Giving them hope is the best way to make them think positively and avoid taking their own lives. Hope heals the soul."
SAVING HUMANITY
Sarimah strongly believes in the saying that if we save a life, we save the whole of humanity.
"We should not be hard on them. Instead, we should show that we love and care for them. Only then will they realise that life is worth living."
Sarimah added that Harapan was close to her heart because she, too, suffered from depression some years ago.
"It was post-natal depression. Fortunately my loved ones were there for me, and they encouraged me to seek medical and spiritual help, which worked."
To overcome her challenges, Sarimah went for counselling and attended religious classes. She counts her blessings as her recovery was fast.
"As I have overcome depression, I have decided to help others beat it. That is why I came out with Harapan."
IMPROMPTU SONG
Damian said he and Sarimah wrote Harapan in a week, and the recording and production process took a month to complete.
"It is an impromptu song, really. I came up with the music video first, and showed the storyboard to Sarimah, who then gave her feedback," he said.
The music video tells the story of a young man who is depressed and suicidal, but is eventually saved from death by suicide when his friends pop up on social media to wish him well.
"The music video was recorded in black and white to reflect the man's unhappiness. Sarimah and I emerge as his social media friends, and our photos are the only ones in colour.
"This is because we are the only two friends who came to his rescue, and gradually his sadness subsides," said Damian.
NOT PREACHY
Damian is also compelled to reach out to depressed people because he suffers from anxiety.
"Anxiety is something I have to live with, and I undergo treatment for it. And I am on the mend," he said.
He said that Harapan was not a preachy song, but it spoke about friendship and being there for each other.
"Music fans prefer songs that talk to them gently. Harapan has a dark topic, but we decided to make it look cheerful and hopeful."
RECORDED AT HOME
Sarimah said she loved performing songs for a good cause.
Sarimah added that she and Damian recorded Harapan at home and had not met throughout the production process.
"It is cool to record from home, where you are most relaxed."
Urging Malaysians to stand up against the mental health pandemic which leads to a rise in suicide cases, Sarimah, who plans to open a counselling centre for suicidal people, said: "We must listen to people in distress and understand them. It would be good to volunteer as counsellors."
PROMOTING AWARENESS
Harapan is the theme song for the #StandForHope campaign by Yayasan ZuriatCARE.
The foundation promotes awareness of mental health issues and its theme for World Suicide Prevention Day 2021 is "Creating hope with action".
Yayasan ZuriatCARE chairman Alia Ali said: "Music is the best medium to convey our message of hope as it improves people's mood.
"Best of all, Harapan is an R&B song full of heart and soul."
Alia said that Harapan also lent support to those who lost loved ones to suicide.
"Without mental health, people will not be healthy. Harapan or hope is important in helping them heal."