The Pick Up the Phone tour kicks off with a press conference on Capitol Hill on Oct. 21. Blue October frontman Justin Furstenfeld, who has struggled with bi-polar disorder most of his life, will speak to members of Congress and deliver an acoustic set.
Furstenfeld’s will urge Congress to fund creative writing and art therapy programs as alternative options for mental health, as well as to fully fund the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act. The act provides funding for most of the suicide prevention programs in the U.S.
The press conference is open to all on a first-come first-served basis. Fans wishing to attend and show their support should send an email to one of the tour’s sponsors, To Write Love on Her Arms, at PUTP@TWLOHA.com. Other sponsors include 1800-Suicide The National Hopeline Network, Synclive.com and Postsecret.
The tour portion of PUTP launches Oct. 23 at Music Farm in Charleston, S.C., and wraps Nov. 21 at Stubb’s Bar-B-Q in Austin.
Furstinfeld said the trek is something he’s wanted to do for some time.
“It has taken 20 years to have the chance to do a tour focusing on mental health issues which have been a daily battle for me most of my life,” the singer explained. “It’s great to finally be a part of a positive, progressive-thinking tour for an important cause which will make a direct impact and help people in desperate situations that need it the most.”
Synclive.com will stream live performances from the artists on the tour, as well as provide an immediate online confidential connection for fans in need.
All of the tour’s sponsors will also have a presence at each stop on the trek.
For more info on the Pick Up The Phone Tour, or any of its sponsors, visit PUTP.org, Hopeline.com, TWLOHA.com, Synclive.com or Postsecret.com.