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A young Belfast brother and a sister. Alex and Michael. Finally having their voices heard.

Listen to what they're saying becauseÌýI didn't last year.Ìý

JanuaryÌý2009Ìýan article appeared in the . The headline was "Ulster Pupils' Mental Health Shock".

If I'm honestÌýI'm only reallyÌýtaking any notice of itÌýnow as it's been made into a play.

Bulletproof is the latest touring production by theatre company.

Off the back of the , ReplayÌýcommissioned Welsh playwrightÌýto write a work for them on mental health issues and young people here.ÌýÌýHe came over andÌýspoke to BelfastÌýteenagers. He used many of theirÌýactual words in the work. Ìý

"Young people need to understand that feelings of sadness, or despair - even suicidal feelings -are nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to be frightened of, and nothing to hide."

It turns out that the brother and sister we meet are older now, looking back at their teenage selves. Alex is in mourning, and as the play moves forward we become aware that Michael is dead, having takenÌýhis own life years earlier.Ìý

In 25 minutes weÌýget a glimpse of what it must be like to feel so scared and alone that the only way out is suicide.

BulletproofÌýis touring schools at the moment. Our over 14s are getting to see it. Every performance has a post show discussion, there's an advice pack and alot of help and support from teachers and Replay.

It's difficult, complex stuff,Ìýbut these are real wordsÌýsaid by real teenagers. ÌýÌý

Kathryn Torney wrote an important article last January. Gary Owen has gone a step further and put the newsprint onto the stage. And Replay has given voice to the Alexs and Michaels of the world.

BulletproofÌýcomes to the Baby Grand at the 15th to 17th February.

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