Chicago rock band Alkaline Trio will headline the inaugural Pick Up the Phone Tour, a traveling college music trek that joins artists together to raise awareness and funds for depression and suicide prevention. Florida-based alternative rockers Anberlin will provide support with newcomers Single File opening the show. The tour is planned for April 2009; dates and venues have not yet been set.
The tour is committed to reducing the stigma associated with mental health as well as making the access to help and hope for students safe and without fear. Pick Up the Phone is created through a partnership between the non-profit organization To Write Love on Her Arms, Postsecret.com, and 1-800-SUICIDE, the National Hopeline Network.
Onsite on every day of the tour, the Alive! Mental Health Fair booths will offer information, therapy and local help resources, and education in suicide prevention. The tour has also partnered with Synclive.com to air live performances over the Internet and provide an immediate confidential connection online for fans in need. The Mental Health Fair and Synclive.com will recruit volunteers to be trained and staff local peer-to-peer hotlines and online crisis support centers at their local college.
“Alkaline Trio is thrilled to get to work with the Hopeline Network,” said the band’s guitarist-vocalist Matt Skiba in a statement. “Suicide is a very permanent solution to what may be a temporary problem, and it feels great to be a part of something that is purely there to help people in times of desperation. If one life is saved because of the hotline, then I consider it a success and we’re very proud to in any way be a part of something so positive.”
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