Entercom has announced the launch of the “I’m Listening” campaign for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
The campaign includes a two-hour on-air special that will be broadcast live from Seattle on World Suicide Prevention Day, Sunday, September 10 at 10:00 a.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. CT / 8:00 a.m. MT / 7:00 a.m. PT across all Entercom platforms, a first in the company’s history. Additionally, the campaign includes suicide prevention PSAs, on-air promos and live conversation airing on Entercom stations beginning today.
The two-hour live special will focus on personal stories from artists and celebrities while offering help and resources to listeners via a live call-in option. The conversation will be led by BJ Shea, Entercom Seattle KISW-FM on-air personality, and will feature guests such as Christine Moutier, M.D., chief medical officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Dr. Ursula Whiteside, clinical psychologist, CEO of NowMattersNow.org.
Musicians and celebrities connected to the cause are coming together to help end the stigma connected to talking about mental health. The personalities scheduled to appear during the special program include Metallica; Sarah Barthel, PHANTOGRAM; Krist Novoselic, NIRVANA; Logic; William DuVall, ALICE IN CHAINS; Halsey; Michael Angelakos, PASSION PIT; David Draiman, DISTURBED; LeRoy Butler, former NFL player for the Green Bay Packers; Kristen Carney, “Mentally Ch(ill)” podcast; James Arthur; Gary Allan; Khalid; Jack Antonoff, BLEACHERS; Justin Furstenfeld, BLUE OCTOBER; and legendary music producer Bob Ezrin; among others.
The topics to be discussed during the special include what all of us can do to prevent suicide, how to talk to friends and family about mental health and suicide, what to do if you or someone you know is struggling with depression, how to get involved in suicide prevention in your local community and where to go to learn more about the cause.
“Through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, we know that everyone has a role to play,” said Logic. “I am so proud to partner with Entercom on a national scale, and I hope that among other things, my song ‘1.800.273-8255’ will help end the stigma of talking about mental health. Radio, quite literally, can save lives.”
“Since the loss of my oldest son to suicide, mental health and mental illness issues have been very close to my heart,” said Bob Ezrin. “We need to speak openly and honestly about these issues so that it becomes natural for people who are suffering to reach out for help.”
For more information about the campaign, visit www.ImListening.org.
