A nine-year-old local Bay of Plenty actress and singer who just launched her first song this month as part of NZ Music Month.
Nine-year-old Iisha Harris has a message: "It's okay not to be okay."
The Tauranga actress and singer released her first song, OK, this month as part of New Zealand Music Month.
Iisha started writing the song in June last year after things got "quite tough" due to Covid-19 and afterexperiencing difficulties with friendships at school.
"I thought that would be a really good way to write down my feelings into a song."
Nine-year-old Iisha Harris is a singer and actress. Photo / Megan Wilson
Her main message of the song was: "If [you're] frustrated or sad or something tough is happening, you're always going to feel better and you can get through when things are hard."
"It's okay to share your feelings because it's actually better to tell someone how you're feeling than just keep it in."
Iisha's older sister, Venice Harris, is also a singer and actress and was her main inspiration to start singing and acting.
"I've loved singing, acting and dancing since Venice started all her shows."
Iisha used to sing in the background of Venice's songs and she reached out to Venice's producer in America about writing her own song.
"I thought he was going to say no because ... I was 8."
Iisha said she and the producer did a Zoom session once a week for about three months and wrote the song together.
"I kind of wrote down what was happening and then together we put it into words that would be like a song.
"When we were writing it, things were also quite tough because of Covid and lots of changes.
"For some kids that was really tough because they couldn't see some of their family overseas and some of their friends."
Iisha Harris started writing a song in June last year about getting through tough times. Photo / Megan Wilson
Now that the world was opening up for travel again, Iisha was looking forward to going to America soon to meet the producer and some of the girls who featured in her song.
The thing she enjoyed the most about singing was there were "no rules" to it and she could just have fun.
With acting, she loved meeting new people and has made some "really good friends".
Iisha was planning on writing another song but was unsure what it will be about at this stage.
"If someone's sad, it's okay to feel like that ... if you think you're not going to get through this, then it will actually be harder to get through it.
"But if you always [know] it will be better, then you'll end up feeling better."
Iisha's music video can also be viewed on YouTube.
Where to get help
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
For counselling and support Lifeline: Call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) Need to talk? Call or text 1737 Depression helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202.
For children and young people Youthline: Call 0800 376 633 or text 234 What's Up: Call 0800 942 8787 (11am to 11pm) or webchat (11am to 10.30pm) The Lowdown: Text 5626 or webchat.
For help with specific issues Alcohol and Drug Helpline: Call 0800 787 797 Anxiety Helpline: Call 0800 269 4389 (0800 ANXIETY) OutLine: Call 0800 688 5463 (0800 OUTLINE) (6pm-9pm) Safe to talk (sexual harm): Call 0800 044 334 or text 4334.
All services are free and available 24/7 unless otherwise specified. For more information and support, talk to your local doctor, hauora, community mental health team, or counselling service.
