UPDATE:
Some great news was announced by USA Today on April 20th. To Write Love On Her Arms has won the #America Wants challenge! Any cause-based organization will tell you that a chance to talk to four million people about their mission would be a dream come true. Now TWLOHA, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide, is going to get that chance – a full page, full color ad in USA Today!
Jamie Tworkowski, founder of TWOLHA, says they’re not sure yet exactly what the ad will say, but will most likely reflect their continuing message to let people know “that they’re not alone in their struggles, and that they can find the help they need.”
Congratulations to TWOHLA from all of us at WhatGives!?
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Phoebe Prince
The news that nine schoolmates have been charged in connection with the January 14th suicide death of bullying victim Phoebe Prince, is cold comfort to her family. Their beautiful girl is gone and all that remains are the accusations and finger-pointing and blame-gaming that inevitably follows such an emotionally charged and preventable tragedy.
Preventable because there is help out there for those mired in depression who can’t see their way out. But there’s a catch. Depression, by its very nature deprives you of the hope that might compel you to reach out for help. So, we’ve got to talk about depression – especially among children and young adults – so that we all can be the support system the next lost child so desperately needs us to be.
Ken Chisholm has a terrific post on LiveStrong.org that lists warning signs and other valuable stats and info about teen suicide. It’s worth your time.
What’s also more than worth your time is helping great organizations like Hopeline, To Write Love On Her Arms, and PostSecret raise a little money to help them help our kids. Their Pick Up the Phone Tour featuring Blue October starts rolling across the country this week. The alternative rock band will kick off a 22-city tour with special guests Stars of Track and Field and Hurricane Bells on April 7 in Atlanta.
The tour was originally scheduled for last fall but was abruptly cancelled when Blue October’s lead singer and songwriter, Justin Furstenfeld was hospitalized after suffering an extreme mental anxiety attack. Although definitely a setback, Chad Moses, TWLOHA Director of Music and Events explained they were “proud that Justin made the right decision in looking after his own well-being, and we were overjoyed when he was able to come back to perform on the last two dates of that cancelled tour. Justin’s recovery and resiliency are nothing less than admirable, and when Blue October came to us over the winter wanting to revive the tour, we simply could not say no.”
Ticket sales indicate fans across the country are overjoyed as well. Moses feels a concert tour is a great way to spread the word about mental health issues. He believes music “has a unique ability to inspire and to validate us. It can be a safe place where we feel less alone in both our struggles and our victories.”
James Earl Jones introduces the Pick Up the Phone Tour
Also, on April 12, the 6th Annual 1-800-SUICIDE Capitol Hill Press Conference will take place at 11:00am in the Cannon House Caucus Room. Speakers will include Congressman Patrick Kennedy, PostSecret founder Frank Warren, To Write Love On Her Arms founder Jamie Tworkowski, 1-800-SUICIDE founder Reese Butler, Blue October’s Justin Furstenfeld, Skip Simpson renowned attorney with a specialty in handling inpatient suicide cases, and Carolyn Robinowitz, M.D. who is one of the most influential psychiatrists in the world, and past president of the American Psychiatric Association.
More than 30,000 Americans commit suicide each year, and 5,000 of these people are teenagers, making suicide the second leading cause of death among 14 to 25-year-olds in the US. Learn about it. Talk about it. Reach out to get help and to give it. You can make a difference.
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Tags: Blue October, Capitol Hill Press Conference, Hopeline, Justin Furstenfeld, livestrong, Patrick Kennedy, Phoebe Prince, Pick Up The Phone, PostSecret, suicide prevention, To Write Love On Her Arms
Keep up the good work y’all are doing.My daughter works at SPINDLETOP MHMR IN TXS you would not believe alot of the teens that have too seek help there&alot of adults for depression.hugs!!!
Thank your for what you all are doing – my boyfriend and I both attended the concert at centerstage in Atlanta and it was amazing. We also discovered that both of us have been suicidal at some point in our adult lives, so this means alot to us.
Sunshine, thanks for writing. Spindletop MHMR (http://www.spindletopmhmr.org) is a great place and I’m sure a lot of people in SE Texas are grateful for the work your daughter and her coworkers are doing. Give her a hug from us!
Hi, C!
It is so good to hear that the message of hope being shared at the Pick Up the Phone concerts was helpful to you and your boyfriend. Be sure to click on any of the links to TWLOHA or Hopeline in our story if you want to find out more. Take care and best wishes.
it was an awesome concert and the message so needs to get out there. what better way than through music. my best friend growing up committed suicide as did my husbands. I wish it had been talked about more then. they both mite still be here if it had. thanx
Thanks for writing, Sherry. When people start talking they often discover how many friends have been touched by suicide. A simple conversation (or a great concert!) can really make a difference.