Suicide prevention benefit at Park Hills Underground

Jeannie Barton-Northrup, jnorthrup@dailyjournalonline.com

Keith and Amber Hafner pose with the guitars that will be raffled at the Notes 4 Hope benefit on Saturday.

Notes 4 Hope is back for its 8th year, raising funds for suicide awareness.

On Saturday, Park Hills Underground will host the musical fundraiser at 104 Rinke St., Park Hills. Doors open at noon. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Follow the links or visit the Notes 4 Hope website (https://www.notesforhope.net/) or Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/notesforhopeevent) for more information. 

Everest Counseling is partnering with Notes 4 Hope to provide resources for anyone struggling with thoughts of suicide. A resource booth is planned for the benefit.

This family-friendly event includes a cash bar, craft vendors, and two guitar raffles. Many live bands will perform during the day, with special performances by At My Worst, Party Crashers, Kings & Vagabonds, WY, Skylines The Limit, Degenerate X Deezymann, Holding Ground, The Doubted, Keith Hafner, JUJ, & more. 

Notes 4 Hope is a not-for-profit organization founded by Keith Hafner in 2014. The purpose is to raise funds for the Music Speaks initiative, which is a guitar giveaway to youths who are at risk of committing suicide.

“Basically, we’re having people nominate at-risk kids, middle school or high school, that need some sort of outlet to help them get through. That’s project number one,” said Hafner. Nominations for at-risk youth can be sent to musicspeaks@notesforhope.net.

Hafner says funds raised will also fuel projects such as creating journals with suicide prevention information to give to teens. The journals would also include inspirational information about local bands and musicians. Shirts and hats can be purchased on the Notes 4 Hope Facebook page to help the organization raise funds in its efforts to raise awareness.

A band performs at a previous Notes 4 Hope benefit.

September is suicide prevention month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is a leading cause of death and is a serious public health problem.

“Suicide affects people of all ages. In 2021, suicide was among the top 9 leading causes of death for people ages 10-64. Suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 20-34,” states the CDC website.

The CDC website encourages the public to contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if they are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

• Call or text 988
• Chat at 988lifeline.org

To connect with a trained crisis counselor, 988 is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365. People can also visit the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for more information at 988lifeline.org.