Mosh for Life

“About a year ago I was going through a difficult time, and I found getting information about low-income therapy really difficult,” said Charles Peckham, organizer of this weekend’s Mosh for Life at Ché Café. “I wanted to put the information out there for anyone who needs it.” For Peckham, eating healthy and exercising wasn’t enough.

“I would go run for several miles, then get in my car and start sobbing,” he recalled. “I was not able to take care of [my depression] myself and I knew that, and I knew it was fine to reach out.” Charles struggled to find affordable care.

This experience led to the idea of a show and fundraiser with an aggressive attitude and vibe, Mosh for Life, which takes place Saturday at noon at Ché Café at UCSD in La Jolla and features a resource fair for suicide prevention. Peckham saw it as an opportunity for the Ché Café, which has enjoyed the support of a large swathe of the San Diego community, to give back.

Peckham focused on suicide prevention awareness. “I feel like we don’t, as a society, treat mental illness with the kind of seriousness that it needs to be treated with.” He also believes that the underground music community fails to face the issue.

“A lot of times suicide is seen as our cross to bear and I want to discourage that idea,” he said. “A lot of people, I think, who are into this kind of music are going through really difficult stuff.” He wants to get these individuals the information they need and raise funds for the organizations getting it to them.

“Just reaching out to various places to figure out what the options are based on your income and predicament is difficult for someone,” Peckham said. If someone hadn’t helped him find low-income therapy, he’s not sure what would have become of his condition.

“When you’re trying to beat depression, and you hear people say you have to wait for help, it isn’t what you want to hear,” Peckham explained. “That’s why I want to make sure other people have the resources they need.”

Bands playing include Diatribe, Worthiest Sons, Tasha Smith Godínez, and Ash Williams. Organizations handing out information include Trans Lifeline, YMCA Youth & Family Services, Survivors of Suicide Loss, CAPS, and the Yellow Ribbon Campaign. More event information available at facebook.com/events/444055635789828/.