Portland Musicians Band Together for Suicide Prevention

This week’s KXL EVERYDAY HERO focuses on some local blues musicians who have banded together to help people suffering from severe mental health issues.

Rae Gordon came up with the idea for IT WILL NOT LAST, a song to bring attention to Oregon’s high suicide rate.  (You can click on the title of the song to hear it)

Local musicians include Rae Gordon, Ben Rice, Lisa Monn, Kivett Bednar, Ed Pierce, Ben Portoin, Joe McCarthy, Scott Franklin, LaRhonda Steele, and Ken DeRouchie.

Information for the local Clackamas County affiliate, to volunteer or receive services can be found here

• 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. It is so important for us to create space to talk about MH and suicide.
• Talking about it creates an opportunity for those that are experiencing MH issues or thoughts of suicide to know they are not alone and that they don’t have to suffer in silence, help is available.
• Talking about suicide does not put the idea into someone’s head or cause someone to be suicidal – it creates an opening for people to share their suffering openly and know they are not alone.
• Putting the national suicide lifeline in your cell phone makes it so you are never alone to support someone who might need it. You have 911 in there – add in the national suicide lifeline as well.

For more information on the National Alliance on Mental Health, click here.

If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call the 24 hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for free and confidential support. 800.273.8255.