Although the Truce Initiative is based out of the East Coast, the organization has a brand new branch in the Rocky Mountain area. Ken Hampton has been appointed the regional coordinator for The Rocky Mountain branch of the Truce Initiative .
The Truce Initiative is a new non-profit organization focused on issues of suicide and self-harm. The Truce Initiative was founded earlier this year and started on the East Coast.,
The organization is dedicated to providing concert tickets to teens and young adults at risk for suicide and self-harm, according to the Truce Initiative website. The main belief of the organization is that music is medicine and that music is capable of saving lives. The Truce Initiative has been able to work with musicians such as, Twenty One Pilots, Bring Me the Horizon and Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance. The organization was founded in part by the band Twenty One Pilots.
Twenty One Pilots is an Ohio duo that has music with a similar, positive message. The group believes that everyone has their demons that they must face in a healthy way, or even call a “truce” with, hence the name of the organization.
Although the Truce Initiative is based out of the East Coast, the organization has a brand new branch in the Rocky Mountain area. Ken Hampton has been appointed the regional coordinator for The Rocky Mountain branch of the Truce Initiative . Hampton said that Wyoming consistently has one of the highest suicide rates in the nation, which is one of the many reasons it is important to have a cause like this is the area.
“As someone who has struggled with depression and lost friends to suicide, I would love to provide help to someone who is struggling and perhaps give them some comfort,” said Hampton in regards to his personal goals with the organization in the Rocky Mountain area.
The Rocky Mountain area and even Laramie, can expect to see fundraising events, concerts, and awareness campaigns as the organization gets off the ground.
The Rocky Mountain branch is a fairly new addition to the organization’s team, but is already generating positive feedback.
“I think this type of cause is really great. I know that for me, live music is a major type of therapy, and I owe a lot of my life to it,” said Cole Janzen, a sophomore studying business marketing. Janzen is also a drummer and vocalist in the local band Stoic. He said that as a musician one of his favorite parts of performing is watching people react, “If I could help someone get out some negative energy that might cause any type of self-harm, that’s an amazing thing to me.”
Hampton said the organization would like to eventually work with the University and Laramie’s local musicians.
“Our organization can use assistance in a range of activities ranging from fund raising to event planning. For example, if there were students involved in bands that were interested in playing a benefit show, that would be great,” said Hampton. He said he believes that if the university and individuals on campus work alongside the organization many more individuals in need of help could be reached.
The Rocky Mountain area and even Laramie, can expect to see fundraising events, concerts, and awareness campaigns as the organization gets off the ground. Hampton said that volunteers are always welcome and greatly appreciated. Individuals interested in helping with the cause can contact Ken Hampton at ken_h@the-truce-initiative.org. The Truce Initiative will be hosting a benefit show later on this month.
