Former Dark Sermon and current Prison frontman Johnny Crowder has launched Cope Notes, a new social enterprise developed to support the mental health of young people suffering from anxiety, depression, and other issues. Cope Notes is an SMS (text message) service that randomly distributes messages of support for people needing help in their daily lives. The initiative was started based on Crowder's desire to reach more people than he was able to through individual counseling sessions or his partnership with National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Watch a Q+A video below.
From the press release:
Subscribers receive 20 randomly-timed messages per month that contain witty advice, exercises, and encouragement without any warning. The service aims to solve common problems experienced by those frustrated with the search for the perfect self-help solution.
The service’s unpredictable schedule consistently blindsides foul moods in an effort to gradually replace toxic mental habits with healthy ones. Written by Crowder himself, each text is inspired by a strategy that has proven to be effective throughout the course of his own healing.
“It took me years to find and hone the coping strategies that I rely on every day to keep me happy and healthy,” said Johnny Crowder, Founder of Cope Notes. “Now that I finally figured out what works, I want to save people from the discouragement and disappointment of scrambling for solutions and fast-track their growth.”
Johnny Crowder is a musician, writer, comedian, mental health advocate, and abuse/suicide survivor. When he’s not on tour with his bands, Dark Sermon and Prison, he’s creating campaigns at Schifino Lee Advertising + Branding and speaking at mental health advocacy events in partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
New users can enjoy a seven-day free trial by visiting CopeNotes.com/Subscribe or texting COPE to 33222. The service also offers an option to purchase and personalize gift subscriptions for friends or family members in need. For more information, visit CopeNotes.com.
