In radio, when a station that is supposed to play music isn't playing music, that's usually a big problem. But that is about to be done on purpose when Radio One stations in Indianapolis stop the music to talk about suicide prevention and mental health, according to RTV6.
Tuesday is World Suicide Prevention Day, and Radio One Indianapolis wants to get rid of the stigma surrounding mental health by turning off the music from 10 a.m. to noon and talking about the warning signs.
In broadcasting, it is said those behind the mic have a duty beyond entertaining, to inform and serve. That's a mission Radio One regional vice president Deon Levingston is making priority one when his five Indianapolis stations stop normal programming to talk about an issue hitting black and brown families especially hard.
"For World Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day we are gonna stop the music for two hours. Suicide is impacting teenagers, young adults, the Hispanic and African-American Community at alarming rates and we're going to address it," Levingston said.
What you hear on your favorite radio station will sound a little different Tuesday. The five stations, WTLC 106.7 FM, AM-1310/92.7 The Light, Radio Now 100.9, Hot 96.3, La Grande 105.1 and Telemundo will all host a discussion many families tend to shy away from.
"The stigma in the African-American and Latino community is real," Levingston said. "And as people are addressing more and more mental health issues we have to break through that stigma so people realize its OK to talk to a counselor. It's OK to tell people this is happening in your life."
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