Here's an email I received through my website briancopeland.com last week:
“Hi Brian,
"I caught Sunday's performance of THE WAITING PERIOD and I wanted to reach to thank you and the Marsh.
"I've had a rough year. First, I lost my job of 12 years and was replaced by a worker half my age. Then, my husband left me... for my (former) best friend. I've been depressed and alone. Money is almost nonexistent so I mostly sit home by myself and stew. I read about your show being free so I decided to check it out. I figured if nothing else, it would get me out of the house.
"I don't know that I've actually been suicidal, but I have had those thoughts about 'not being able to do this anymore.' I just wanted you to know that you really got to me. I took your advice to 'tell somebody' and called my mom. She knew I'd been struggling, but I kept pushing her away. Bottom line is, I'm moving back home until I get back on my feet both financially and emotionally. I'm not alone anymore. I also made an appointment to start seeing a counselor next week.
"You changed my life. God Bless you and the Marsh.”
I hear stories like this all the time.
In June, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention released a study that found that the suicide rate has increased dramatically in every state and across every demographic. It has now been deemed a public health crisis. This information, along with the recent suicide deaths of Anthony Bourdain, Kate Spade and Margot Kidder, provide an opportunity to talk about depression and suicide and to erase the stigma associated with it. For that reason, we have decided to continue The Waiting Period project in 2019 and we need your help.
The Marsh and I need to raise $80,000 to fund these performances and present them free to the public through 2019. The Marsh is a registered 501c3 non profit and all contributions are 100% tax deductible. We are applying for a number of grants to help us reach this goal, but we need your help in order to show that we have the support of the community behind us. Can you please go to our GoFundMe link and make a contribution today?
https://www.gofundme.com/5kp972-help-us-help-people-with-depression
Thank you for helping us continue this important work.
Brian Copeland