Hot Topic Foundation Partners with This Is My Brave for Suicide Prevention Month

August 30, 2022

LEESBURG, VA: The Hot Topic Foundation announced a partnership this week with This Is My Brave to sponsor Jay Walkers, a virtual challenge honoring every life lost to suicide each year worldwide. Jay Walkers will be encouraged to share their own stories and let others know it’s safe to share theirs. Learn more: https://thisismybrave.org/jay-walkers.

“We are excited to have the support of the Hot Topic Foundation for our first annual Jay Walker Challenge in September,” said Erin Gallagher, Interim Executive Director of This Is My Brave. “Their commitment to supporting programs that promote mental health awareness aligns perfectly with the Jay Walker Challenge. Having the Hot Topic Foundation on board with us is a perfect fit.”

Jay Walkers is named for Jay Gallagher, son of Erin Gallagher, who lost his life to suicide in 2016 at the age of 18. Jay had so much life to live and so much love to give, yet the stigma of suicide prevented him from asking for the help he knew he needed.

Each and every one of us has the ability to break down stigma. All we need to do is have open and honest conversations. We need to talk about the topics that are most stigmatized – including suicide.

That is why This Is My Brave has started Jay Walkers, a 30-day challenge to take place during the month of September, which is designated as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Learn more and register today: https://thisismybrave.org/jay-walkers.

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About Hot Topic Foundation
The Hot Topic Foundation (HTF) has helped change lives since 2004 by increasing access to mental health programs and music education. HTF teams with non-profits — like Mental Health America, Little Kids Rock and Notes for Notes – that provide these resources to those in need. HTF began with a focus on music and the arts; in 2019 mental health was added to its mission because Hot Topic believes mental health and music are inextricably linked. Since HTF’s beginning, it has given nearly $20 million to non-profits that support its mission.

About This Is My Brave
This Is My Brave debuted its first ever live show in May 2014 in Arlington, VA, at the Spectrum Theatre to a sold-out crowd of nearly 400. Over the past eight years, the nonprofit organization has hosted 82 performances across the United States and in Australia. This Is My Brave has been featured in The Washington Post, O, The Oprah Magazine, Stage-Directions Magazine, and as well as on the TODAY Show and many media outlets.

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Resources

If you or someone you know needs help, reach out 24/7 to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting 988 or using chat services at suicidepreventionlifeline.org to connect to a trained crisis counselor.

You can also get crisis text support via the Crisis Text Line by texting STORY to 741741.

For additional help, please visit our resource page.