AN urban songwriter from Southend has vowed to give all his performance royalties and fees to the South East and Central MIND charity, which supports people with mental health difficulties, up until April.

Sean Absonetti felt compelled to make the decision after writing a free track titled Illness, which is about his own struggles with mental health, which he hopes will inspire people to "reach out".

He said the song and video has been available for viewing on YouTube since the weekend, and he has already received messages from people saying they have taken comfort from his words.

Sean explained: "I decided to write the track after hearing about the disappearance of Sophie Smith, the 21 year old who walked out of her home near Great Yarmouth on boxing day, and walked into the sea. I didn't want to sell the song or have people pay to download it, I just wanted to put it out there in the hope it might help someone going through a bad time, or it might help raise awareness.

"There are so many people suffering with mental health issues, and I just wanted to do something to encourage people to talk.

"I myself have suffered with mental health issues and used to suffer from bi-polar. It wasn't that long ago that I was going through problems, where certain events happened and I found myself drawn into depression. It was triggered after the passing of a family friend and I went down from there. I didn't want to commit to anything, it affected my music, I just got to the point that I hit a brick wall, I lost all motivation, it just wasn't there.

"I am known to be a vocal person but it is difficult to reach out when you feel like that. But I did, and some friends helped to pull me out of it, and I found medicine in my music to be honest, and was able to rediscover myself.

"When I read about Sophie Smith, I wrote the song - it was inspired by her. You know, for her to feel this bad to do this? This happens. It's so sad. There are people out there now who feel that low they don't want to live. I just want to encourage people who might be going through mental health issues to reach out to someone, talk to a family member or friends, get a doctor's appointment, call The Samaritans. Some people don't know about The Samaritans - I put a number in the song.

"There is still a stigma around mental health where people's attitudes can be 'oh you play the victim' or 'you're bringing it on yourself', but your mental health is serious stuff. Some things are not so easy to brush off".

Visit youtube.com and search Absonetti - Illness to hear the track.