Non-profit suicide prevention group LightHopeLife has announced a new division of its non-profit called ‘Tour Support’. It’s aimed at supporting the mental health of musicians and crew traveling for months on the road.
Tour Support is a non-profit to promote mental wellness in the live music business. The initiative has received support from industry leaders like Live Nation, Chris Cornell’s widow Vicky Cornell, WME, and John Legend, among others. Tour Support is a new division of the non-profit 501(c)(3) suicide prevention and awareness foundation LightHopeLife.
LightHopeLife says it recognizes that the music world is experiencing a mental health crisis. Touring professionals are subjected to tons of stress and suicide rates have jumped in recent years.
Globally, touring has generated over $5 billion in the last two years — but no one knows the challenges faced by those who create the experiences. Not only touring artists, but their road crew, vendors, and other support personnel are away from their families for months at a time.
Touring vet Steve Richards kicked off the idea for Tour Support after losing more than ten friends and colleagues to suicide. The initiative aims to provide tools for people while on the road, to get people the support they need. Richards partnered with social impact company Friends At Work to make it happen.
Vicky Cornell has also come on board to support the new initiative with a partnership. The Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation was established after the death of guitarist Chris Cornell. Vicky says she hopes to prevent more families from experiencing the tragedy of losing their loved ones.
“Losing Chris has been the single most devastating experience in my family’s life. Tragically, there are countless stories like this, but we only hear about the famous ones. The music community has lost far too many. We must promote and prioritize mental health and wellness and creating a real support system on the road is critical. Intervention is prevention.”
Live Nation Entertainment has supported the new program by making a donation to fund Tour Support’s first year.
Hi! I like what these support groups and caring people are doing for the music industry. I suffer from Suicidal Tendencies since I was twelve years old ( I’m 48 now ). I’ve made several attempts but still here. I’ve lost two siblings to 1st to suicide and 2nd to drugs. They both were in their early twenties.
I feel that there needs to be a open line of communication and what’s needed more is a Safe line of Listening. When for instance I was to confide to you how I’m feeling; that persons normal response is “ they need to go to the Mental Ward”. They no longer listen, they just fixate on the get them to the hospital. To me, I feel that the main focus is LISTEN!!! Not react, you scare people away if you react before they even get past what you said that I feel like hurting myself. You can feel and see a Person who has already reacted before you even finish the last words myself. PEOPLE LISTEN; SHOW YOU CARE FIRST; BE VERY PATIENT WITH THE INDIVIDUAL AT RISK!!! Who knows, that little time you take out of your life, my be an hour or they may need support through out their crisis. If you have the time, go with them to see a doctor. Just little things can help. One last thing, PUT DOWN YOUR CELL PHONE, cause communication ( person to person ) is way broken down in the World!! Can you get a much needed hugs from a Fn cell phone…