Blog

  • Oct. 5, 2009 at 3:33pm

    Hey Guys,

    For those active in the field of Mental Health, Fall is the season dedicated to Suicide Prevention. Over the past three years, TWLOHA has been privileged to be part of ongoing conversations on topics such as suicide that often are not talked about. We’ve been on the receiving end of countless stories that demand not only an emotional response, but also a tangible response. We are moved by the fact that suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for young Americans. We are challenged with knowing that suicide is the most preventable form of death. These facts require attention, action, and conversation.

    By being a part in these conversations, we developed a friendship with the National Hopeline, which runs the network many recognize as 1-800-SUICIDE. This free and confidential service has been operating for 11 years now and has answered over three million phone calls. Three million lives that in a moment of courage and confession reached out for help. Three million people reminded that their life matters and their story is important. Three million stories that might have ended too soon.

    Last year we launched a campaign to help pay 1-800-SUICIDE’s phone bill and ensure that their legacy of hope would continue. This year we are taking the commitment a step further and helping 1-800-SUICIDE along with PostSecret produce the first ever Suicide Prevention Music Tour featuring Blue October. The month long venture is called the Pick Up The Phone Tour. It is one thing to write checks, but what is closest to our hearts is proactively meeting people where they are. Keeping our vision in mind, proceeds from this tour will be going towards developing a new online chat network called IM Alive (Instant Message Alive) which will work much like 1-800-SUICIDE: free and confidential.

    The tour will be starting with a conversation, that you are invited to, on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. on October 21st. Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October along with Reese Butler, founder of 1-800-SUICIDE, will be addressing Congress on these issues. If you want to be a part of this first day and acoustic set, please visit PUTP.org and reply to the RSVP at the bottom of the page (while the event is free, the space is limited). Tickets are on sale now at PUTP.org for all the other dates as well as brand new Pick Up the Phone shirts. We can’t wait to join you for these nights of hope and healing, but even if you cannot join us on the tour, we would encourage you to check out the shirt and start conversations in your own community.

    For more information on the tour and what we believe about these issues, please check out our PSA below. We are really excited about this video and we hope that you will help us share it. It’s a combination of Jamie’s words, James Earl Jones' voice, video work by our friend Dustin Miller, and dozens of caring strangers that all came together in about two days… and we could not be more proud of the finished product.



    See you on the road.
    With hope,
    Chad

    Posted in Music by Chris Youngblood

Comments (12)

I've been looking for more info on this tour; thanks for this post!

1 | Left by ZachBanta | Oct. 5, 2009 at 6:31pm


I wish I could go so bad...
I'll make sure I wear my shirt that day though, and try extra hard to tell people about TWLOHA
<3

2 | Left by Harper | Oct. 6, 2009 at 4:12am


I would love love love to go. But I live in the Uk :(
Hope it al goes well :)

3 | Left by Sarah Conder | Oct. 6, 2009 at 9:56am


i would love to go, but i live in new york. ill wear my shirt that day though :) <3 love you all

4 | Left by Kaley Manzene | Oct. 6, 2009 at 10:15am


i am A huge suppoter of this epic movement. I am still trying to over come my self injury habits but reading everyones story I feel connected....I want to stop but I am so scared what everyone would say if i told someone. Also how hurt and worried my mom would be. I just need some advice?.

5 | Left by Mariah Corbett | Oct. 6, 2009 at 2:53pm


Just got my RSVP for the washington dc event back. so excited.

6 | Left by Diamond | Oct. 8, 2009 at 7:32pm


I just walked for the american foundation for suicide prevention in NJ this past Sunday. I wish that the tour was coming closer to my area so that I could go and support 1-800-suicide some more. I have the tshirt--I'll definitely be wearing it. A girl in my speech class did her presentation on twloha-i got sooo excited because I use my tote bag everyday and I mentioned you guys as I did my speech on suicide prevention.

Thanks for all you do--you've really helped me to stop cutting and give me hope.

7 | Left by Christina | Oct. 9, 2009 at 9:09am


One of the first things you said in this blog is that suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death. There was a time in my life time (with in the last 5 or 6 years) when it was considered to be the 2nd leading cause of death. As those numbers get smaller, don't ever doubt the difference you're making.

8 | Left by rachel hanford | Oct. 10, 2009 at 9:51am


this is such a good idea. i really wish i could go. i look forward to the IM Alive...

9 | Left by nicole | Oct. 11, 2009 at 12:20pm


I'd love to go! That's my birthday! ;) But sadly, I'll be home. But you'll be in my hearts!

10 | Left by Traci | Oct. 18, 2009 at 2:12pm


My friend Louisa and I have set up a Suicide Prevention Event to raise money for the Hopeline. We are having it at my school (Louisa goes to a different school) We are having it Friday, November 13th. We have a couple local bands from around the area coming. It's going to be a blast. I'm going to attempt to go to one of the events that TWLOHA have set up already :)

11 | Left by Brittany Budrawich | Oct. 21, 2009 at 7:38am


I hope Justin is feeling better!
I don't know what I would do without Blue October. They are my favorite band. <3

12 | Left by Kirsten | Oct. 27, 2009 at 3:55pm

Name:

Email:

URL:

Comment: *   No HTML, http:// will auto-link
* required

  

Comment Guidelines

Flickr

Youtube