Content Warning: Suicide. Self-harm.

Soaring charges of suicide and psychological well being problems have created one in every of our gravest present public well being crises — it’s been mentioned that even earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been going through “an epidemic of loneliness.” Gears of War has at all times stood for belonging, which is why on the eve of World Suicide Prevention Day, our message and promise is straightforward: Never Fight Alone.

Today, we’re proud to announce that The Coalition will donate 1% of internet income from all Gears of War video games and merchandise to organizations working to stop suicide and fight loneliness via psychological well being advocacy. This is a multi-year dedication our studio is making to offer again to our group and create real-world affect. We are proud to announce Crisis Text Line as our first companion. As we proceed to develop and evolve this program, we hope to have the ability to companion with extra organizations around the globe.

Crisis Text Line gives free, 24/7, high-quality text-based psychological well being help and disaster intervention within the US, UK, Canada and Ireland by empowering a group of skilled volunteers to help individuals of their moments of want. In the US, help is obtainable in each English and Spanish. Text ‘PAUSE’ to 741741 or WhatsApp at (443)-SUPPORT to succeed in volunteer Crisis Counselors accessible 24/7 that will help you or a buddy via any psychological well being disaster.

“In 2021, we had 1.3 million conversations with texters who needed help with issues like anxiety, depression and suicide. We’re honored to partner with The Coalition & the Gears of War franchise to increase access to mental health support and suicide prevention services. Partnerships like this are so critical to addressing the mental health crisis in America and reaching our vision for an empathetic world where nobody feels alone,” says Dena Trujillo, CEO at Crisis Text Line.

Globally, the speed of suicide is alarmingly excessive. In the US, suicide charges and emotions of unhappiness and hopelessness are rising, particularly with younger individuals. Suicide is a number one reason behind demise that’s fully preventable.

Themes of loss, grief, trauma, and even suicide have featured closely in our video games. We construct connection once we course of laborious issues collectively, and the beating coronary heart of Gears of War has at all times been about belonging and connection. Our Never Fight Alone initiative permits us to not simply discuss what it means to be there for one another however put our phrases into on a regular basis motion.

Fans who wish to share of their help of the Never Fight Alone program can achieve this in a couple of methods:

• First and most significantly, we encourage everybody to take a second to test in on family and friends at present. A small gesture like a textual content, DM, Xbox message or perhaps a name goes an extended approach to letting somebody know that you simply care.

• Save “Text PAUSE to 741741” in your telephone so you could have it as a contact everytime you may want it.

• Join the dialog about suicide prevention, provide phrases of help and share Crisis Text Line with individuals who could also be struggling on our @GearsofWar Twitter channel or observe together with #NeverFightAlone.

• Wear your help with the 2022 Never Fight Alone profit tee from the Xbox Gear Store or Game Planet for these in Mexico. Designed by our shut buddy, Luke Preece, all proceeds from the acquisition of this particular version tee will go on to Crisis Text Line.

• Microsoft Rewards members within the United States can earn and donate factors this weekend to Crisis Text Line by enjoying any Gears of War recreation. Download the Microsoft Rewards app on Xbox to earn factors and donate at present.

For extra info on Never Fight Alone and our donation please go to gearsofwar.com/neverfightalone