Jake Runestad joins me on this episode. Jake Runestad is a well known choral composer and we talked about several of his compositions, many of which have to do with issues of social change. But we also had a very deep conversation about his composition, Please Stay. "Please Stay" is an anthem for hope — an attempt to destigmatize mental illness and challenge all of us to support those who are battling depression and thoughts of suicide. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, taking the lives of 44,965 Americans in 2016.

For some people, depression may lead to thoughts of suicide. Try to remember that you don't have to act on these thoughts, no matter how overwhelming they might be. If you're considering ending your life, it's important that you talk to someone right away. If you're in a crisis, you can also call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK to get immediate help.

Follow Jake Runestad

Jake Runestad Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

 

Jake Runestad's Music

Please Stay

Please Stay - YouTube

Dreams of the Fallen

We Can Mend the Sky

Rise Up

 

To Write Love On Her Arms

Roomful of Teeth

Dominick Argento - Walden Pond

Jenny Lawson - Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

 

Follow Amanda Stevenson

Amanda on Instagram

Amanda on Twitter

Voices Creating Change on Facebook

Voices Creating Change on Twitter

 

Support the show on Patreon