So, not even sure how to start this blog if I am to be honest...SO- Yes, I do a weekend on-air shift for 99.1 WQIK, but I am actually the Promotions and Marketing Director for iHeartMEDIA Jacksonville, overseeing 8 radio stations. Of course I love 99.1 WQIK & yes I enjoy country music but I've always have and always will be a rock chick. Rock music is the reason I wanted to be in radio.
I was going through our rock station's Facebook page, 97.3 PLANET RADIO, and came across a message that read:
"Love your station but- Klinger just telling people who are depressed or whatever to get help- sounds great- how do you afford to? I can't."
Klinger is the night jock and I'm not sure exactly what he was talking about on-air but it obviously related to dealing with depression and getting help.
Now I have not dealt with depression myself, although I've experience my fair share of anxiety, but I have helped a few of my friends through hard times. Usually people just want someone to listen to them and to not judge them.
So I wanted to TRY to offer some help or advice to this man who messaged the radio station. The best thing I could suggest, and the most cliche for someone who works in radio, was music.
First I suggested listening to Shinedown's new album, Attention Attention. They devoted their entire album about addressing their own struggles. Brent Smith, the lead singer, wrote the song 'Get Up' about the bass player, Eric Bass's struggles with depression. Below you can check out the video of the song "Get Up" and Eric's recent interview in Parade about it, which you can read HERE.
See, you're not alone. Some of your favorite celebrities deal with the same struggles. Selena Gomez let it all out in an Instagram Live video answering questions from fans and said depression had taken over her life.
Lizzy Hale, @officiallzzyhale, of Halestorm just started a cool # on Instagram - #RaiseYourHorns to connect everyone who has been struggling. Many of your favorite bands and artists are going through the same thing. Artists like Maria Brink from In This Moment, David Draiman of Disturbed and Heidi Shepard from Butcher Babies all showed their support through the hashtag. That might also be a great way to link up and connect with others.
Country superstar Chris Stapleton's song "Fire Away" is one heck of a powerful song that addresses depression & brings attention to issues concerning suicide. Chris even mentions The Campaign to Change Direction at the end of the video. The Campaign to Change Direction pledges "to change the culture in America about mental health, mental illness and wellness".
If you ever been to Welcome To Rockville, you might have seen To Write Love On Her Arms, because they are always set up to support the rock community, so maybe that would be a good place to reach out as well.
If you or someone you know might be at risk of suicide, Call 1-800-273-8255 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It provides free and confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week for people in suicidal crisis or distress.
You can also text or call HopeLine: 919-231-4525, 1-877-235-4525
Hope the suggestions help you! Stay strong. #RaiseYourHorns.
Join us in the Out Of The Darkness Walk to fight suicide, Saturday, December 1st at Treaty Oak Park. We would really dig it if you join our team! Registration is free and open to the public, but we do have a team goal to raise $1000 in donations!
Help us raise awareness and funds that allow @afspnational to invest in new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss.
When you walk in the Out of the Darkness Walks, you join the effort with hundreds of thousands of people to raise awareness. As the leader in the fight against suicide, and thanks to walkers like you from cities across the country, AFSP has been able to set a goal to reduce the annual suicide rate 20% by 2025!!