Asheville Musicians Join National Empowerment Nonprofit Free2luv And Mtv Entertainment Group To ‘Turn The Sound Up For Mental Health’
In response to the global mental health crisis, national empowerment nonprofit Free2Luv® and MTV Entertainment Group, in partnership with Celebrity Ambassadors and musicians, are uniting to celebrate the 2nd annual Mental Health Action Day Thursday, May 19, 2022, and utilize the arts to move the mental health conversation from awareness to action.
- Asheville, NC (1888PressRelease) May 02, 2022 - In response to the global mental health crisis, Free2Luv® and MTV Entertainment Group, in partnership with brands, nonprofits, and cultural leaders around the globe, are hosting the 2nd annual Mental Health Action Day Thursday, May 19, 2022, to move the mental health conversation from awareness to action. Free2Luv, MTV, The One Voice Project, and Asheville musicians are coming together at the Asheville Music Hall for an evening of community and connection filled with inspirational music, heartfelt conversations surrounding mental wellness, take-home resources, and a collaborative art mural.
'Turn the Sound Up for Mental Health' featuring some of Asheville's brightest musicians will feature a FREE family pre-show followed by a 21 & over show. The line-up includes Lenny Pettinelli from Empire Strikes Brass on keys; Nik Hope from Empire Strikes Brass on drums; Datrian Johnson, vocalist from The Fritz & Free Radio; Josh Blake from The Funk Jam Band on guitar; Kayla Lynn, vocalist and Free2Luv Music Ambassador; King Garfield from Funk'N Around on trombone; Melissa McKinney, vocalist, The One Voice Project; and guest vocalists Dani Cox, Reggie Headen, Kathryn O'Shea, Debrissa McKinney, and Rachel Waterhouse.
‘Turn the Sound Up for Mental Health’ Event Details:
May 19, 2022
Asheville Music Hall, 31 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
5 pm Doors open for family show, art mural available to create before show start
6 pm – 7 pm: FREE Family show (Free creative expression activity books and swag for the first 100 youth)
8 pm Doors open for 21 & over show, $10 per person
9 pm - midnight: 21 & over show
The FREE family concert invites families throughout Asheville to come together for a special evening of empowerment and connection. The first 100 youth attending will receive a FREE 72-page creative expression journal, EXPRESS IT!, empowerment wristband and stickers to support mental wellness and encourage creative expression. Youth and their families are also invited to create together on a collaborative art mural that will be displayed in Asheville post-event. The EXPRESS IT! book was created by award-winning empowerment nonprofit, Free2Luv, during Covid to support youth, teens, and young adults struggling with depression, anxiety, and isolation. Free2Luv utilizes the arts to promote mental wellness, build self-esteem, and empower youth to be their best selves.
In December 2021, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a public health advisory warning that the pandemic had significantly worsened mental health among American teens that had already been widespread before COVID. According to CDC data published earlier this year, 44.2% of teens report significant feelings of sadness, loneliness, and hopelessness, with 19.9% having seriously considered attempting suicide. Approximately 7.7 million young people in the U.S. experience a mental health condition annually.
North Carolina ranked 42 in a national survey evaluating youth mental health services in the first America's School Mental Health Report Card recently released by the Hopeful Futures Campaign.
"The first step in minimizing this crisis is awareness and education. We're delighted to be holding hands with MTV and the city of Asheville to bring much-needed attention to this epidemic in our communities," says Tonya Sandis, Founder of Free2Luv.
"Teens are struggling more than ever after the past few years of isolation, and as a society, we need to normalize asking for help and let youth know that doing so is truly a sign of strength. We want them to know they are not invisible, we see them, and there is strength in our connection."
"The second and crucial step is action. Our youth are suffering right now, and there cannot be enough voices raised to support them. We encourage everyone to take action. It could be scheduling regular check-ins with the youth in your life. We want everyone to realize that a small action can make a big difference," says Sandis.
"The last two years have brought to light mental health challenges and made it easier to talk about them – but there is still so much work to do to help people take actions to address them,” said Erika Soto Lamb, Vice President of Social Impact Strategy at MTV Entertainment Group. "That's why the second annual Mental Health Action Day will focus on connection by providing leaders with resources to encourage and empower people to take action and those struggling with mental health and isolation with the tools they need to improve their emotional well-being."
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