The mental health action and awareness organization A Friend in Me is having a musical gathering Sunday featuring live music, mental health talks and information, arts and crafts displays and food vendors.
It’s on The Quad at Wesleyan College from 4-8 p.m.
It’s a timely – and needed – event for the days and the moment we live in and, since a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, it’s a fun chance to get out and about while being informed on mental health issues, raising money for good causes and hearing great music.
Playing are Shy Company, Cash’s Juke Joint, Brandon Sanders and Rachel Forehand, some of the area’s favorite performers. And I hear it’s the last chance to hear Shy Company in Macon for a while.
Suicide and mental health issues are in our headlines too often and the CDC says suicide rates are only rising, Georgia’s included. The U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra has said most Americans believe the country is in a mental health crisis yet folks still believe asking for help is a sign of weakness.
But Macon-native Zack Houston, who began the all-volunteer A Friend in Me, believes there are answers that start with letting people know that reaching out for help is OK and that there are understanding people willing to listen and point to support. He believes those not in crisis need to better understand the importance of paying attention to friends and family and how to help those going through dark times.
That’s why he called upon area musicians to take part in Sunday’s event. He said he personally knows what it’s like having attempted suicide himself in years past due largely to childhood trauma he experienced.
“People need to learn to be more intentional in their conversations and aware of how friends and family are doing,” Houston said. “Really, it’s a matter of being patient, kind and aware of mental health issues and having a little information on how to help and guide toward help. That’s what the day is about.”
That and a day for those in a dark place to hear the stories of others who’ve been there and made it through to the next day.
“If someone is struggling, they need the opportunity to say, ‘Hey, that’s me, I need help, can I talk to you?’” Houston said. “We’re not professionals but we know what it’s like, how to listen and how to get people who need help some good direction.”
Houston lives in Atlanta now where he and the A Friend in Me team have put on similar events. Though his career is in dental equipment sales, he’s pursuing a master’s degree in mental health and working more and more to get A Friend in Me events going and its message out, hopefully across the nation.
He said in addition to speakers, the bands and performers at the event are sympathetic to the cause. He reached out to singer-songwriter Rachel Forehand, his old Tattnall Square schoolmate, to help contact bands and put the day together.
“Yeah, I went to high school with Zack and told him of course I’d help,” Forehand said. “I helped contact other bands, arranged for the best sound guy in the world and am glad to be part, even though it’s the first time I’ve ever helped put anything like this together. I hope people will come enjoy the music and learn something. I was glad to say yes because both my best friends experienced suicide in their families and I know how devastating it all can be.”
Colby Collins, Shy Company’s drummer, said he spoke for the band, saying, “We’re honored to be trusted with the opportunity to shine a light on mental health. With heavy hearts, we’re aware of how often mental health struggles affect and take the lives of so many people who are loved within the music industry and within our own personal lives. Most of our original music is shared with the intent to address, express and heal our own mental health struggles which is why this event is so special to us. We want to say to others you are not alone, you have friends in Shy Company.”
There’ll be plenty to chow down on Sunday, food trucks and vendors include Scott Boys Smokin’ BBQ, Salsa’s, Nanny’s Hamburgers and Hotdogs, Pinkie’s Shaved Ice, Frios Gourmet Pops, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Everything Gelato and Just Tap’d will offer their beers. No outside food or beverages are allowed but you can bring in water and you might want a blanket or chair. A portion of the Wesleyan Quad will be tent-covered and pets aren’t allowed at the event.
There will also be raffles with donated art and other prizes like restaurant gift cards and concert tickets. Arts and crafts vendors will be there as well as information tables set up by mental health organizations.
Proceeds from the day will be split between the Georgia Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the We Stand Together Foundation and A Friend in Me.
And you’ll hear the numbers nine, eight and eight a lot: 988 is the shortened, three-digit number for texting or calling the nationwide Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s a quick, memorable number connecting anyone suicidal or facing any other mental health crisis with trained professionals.
That’s 988, remember it.
“We’re a grassroots organization getting the information out in our own way but the rippling effects of a day like Sunday can be enormous,” Houston said. “No one may realize how important it is until they suddenly need the information for their own sake or the sake of a friend or family member. We want to provide information, change attitudes and offer help and guidance.
“The more voices talking about this in as many ways as possible the better off we all are. If young Zack had heard people talking about this, if friends had been more intentional in conversations, if I’d heard going to therapy was OK, I could have gotten help instead of bottling things up for so long. I want others to hear that and know they can get help sooner rather than later.”
Tickets are $23 and are available in advance through www.afriendinme.net. Look under Events. There are no added fees for buying online and all money goes to the event and its cause. Admission is the same at the door and T-shirts and hats will also be on sale for $23 each.
Contact writer Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com.
