As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, health officials say they've noticed a sharp increase in the number of people who have reported symptoms of being depressed and overly stressed. People's fears and anxieties have spiked thanks to social distancing measures that can make people feel isolated and lonely.
While maintaining social distancing and wearing a mask is a huge part in preventing the spread of the coronavirus, mental health advocates say more needs to be done. That's why the charitable arm of Hot Topic has announced its first-ever virtual concert "Mental Notes," benefitting Mental Health America (MHA), the nation's leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to those living with mental illness and promoting mental health and wellbeing for all.
Organizers say the concert, scheduled for World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10th, will be hosted by Mikey Way and feature performances from Bishop Briggs, Black Veil Brides, Guardin, As It Is, and more. Several band members are also slated to share their personal stories about why mental health is a hot topic.
Mental Notes will stream on on hottopic.veeps.com on World Mental Health Day, October 10, 2020, at 12PM PST/3PM EST.
“Over the decades we have seen a powerful connection between music and mental health, not just in our customers, but our own employees,” said Joe Emory, Director of Human Resources at HTF. “That connection became even more evident when we began the Hot Topic Foundation and started working with Little Kids Rock and Notes for Notes, and heard time and time again, ‘Music has saved my life’. We’re proud to partner with Mental Health America to use our platform to help destigmatize mental illness and further provide resources to those in need, when music alone isn’t enough.”
“We are grateful to have been selected by the Hot Topic Foundation as the beneficiary of the Mental Notes concert,” said Paul Gionfriddo, President and CEO of MHA. “The pandemic has taken its toll on the mental health of millions of Americans. This concert will call attention to resources and support available so that no one has to go it alone. As the beneficiary of the concert, this will also provide our organization more resources needed to advocate for mental health.”
Tickets for the Mental Notes benefit concert are on sale now on the event page at hottopic.veeps.com, alongside a limited-edition concert T-shirt which will be exclusively at hottopic.com. All net proceeds from ticket and T-shirt sales will benefit MHA.
For more information on Mental Notes and to see the full lineup, visit hottopic.com/mentalnotes.