“I tried to reach you. I couldn’t get through. I don’t know what to do; don’t know where to go. All I can do is wait for you.”
You might be forgiven if you think this is a love song. It’s not. Waiting, local band Keek’s latest original song, was written and produced to communicate to teens who are affected by depression.
The two-year-old band isn’t just performing at local high schools, though. The band members are reaching out to students, in person or online and through the power of music. Keek recently created a video featuring Waiting and carrying messages of hope from the band members — messages such as “if you’re suffering from depression or bullying, there’s always someone who’s willing to listen and help.”
In February — Purple Pledge Month — Keek is donating all proceeds from the sale of its video to The Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health’s D.I.F.D. (Do it for Daron) campaign, which is focused on raising awareness and inspiring conversations about youth mental health.
Keek is happy to do its part to promote youth mental health. “We have all, in some way, been affected by depression,” says band member Conor Whitehead. “Some of us have had issues of depression and suicide in our families. Some of us have known classmates who have taken their own life. When we were approached by the Foundation, we jumped at the chance to help. This is such a serious issue, and we want to do our part to try and spread awareness.”