In a move that will be welcomed by mental health professionals and patients alike, Entercom has announced a two-hour live, commercial-free broadcast special, “I’m Listening,” to raise awareness around mental health and mark the start of National Suicide Prevention Week.
As part of its multiplatform yearlong “I’m Listening” campaign, the broadcast will air nationwide on Sunday, September 8 at 7:00 a.m. across more than 235 stations and via each station’s livestream on Radio.com in their respective time zones.
“Mental health and suicide prevention are year-round initiatives at Entercom and we are doing our part to end the stigma by encouraging people to talk,” said Pat Paxton, Chief Programming Officer, Entercom. “Like millions of others, my family has been impacted by mental health issues and the effect it has on friends and families is devastating. ‘I’m Listening’ is when our vast network of radio stations and digital platforms unite on the same day, at the same time, to ultimately save lives. If we help just one person, our time will have been well spent.”
BJ Shea, on-air personality for 99.9 KISW (KISW-FM) in Seattle, will lead the special along with Dr. Ursula Whiteside, Chief Executive Officer, NowMattersNow.org.
In addition to the two-hour broadcast, Entercom LGBTQ+ talk radio network Channel Q, available nationwide on Radio.com, will extend the programming during all of National Suicide Prevention Week. From September 9 through September 13, all shows on Channel Q will feature segments on mental health and suicide prevention and will include personal narratives from celebrities as well as mental health professionals.
