There is hope and there is help.
That’s the message that national award-winning mental health speaker and accomplished country musician Jason DeShaw will deliver during a 10-city Montana tour this spring.
Presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana and the Center for Mental Health Research and Recovery at Montana State University in Bozeman, the “Serenity in the Storm” tour opens April 14 in Butte and culminates May 7 in Missoula. The other Montana cities that will be visited are Great Falls, Havre, Glasgow, Sidney, Miles City, Billings, Helena and Bozeman. Many of the performances are in middle and high schools and all are free and open to the public.
DeShaw grew up on the Hi-Line and his music resonates with Montana’s rural way of life. For the past decade, DeShaw has toured across 35 states, Canada and Europe singing his original country music. In 2010, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and alcoholism. Since then he has advocated for mental health and addiction recovery as both a speaker and a singer. His presentation combines his story of recovery with original songs of hope.
Mental illness and addiction are an epidemic in Montana. Many people face their struggles alone, afraid to speak to others about their experiences. Open communication can have a positive effect on reducing the stigma and encouraging individuals who are not in good mental health to seek help.
“My goal is to reach out to others who are looking for help and give them hope,” DeShaw said. “I’m excited at the potential this tour holds for broadening my message to a larger Montana audience.”
For more information, contact Joy Novota at (406) 317-2270 or at [email protected]. For tour updates, go to www.facebook.com/jasondeshaw or www.jasondeshaw.com.