Matt and Sarah are the morning show on CJAQ/Calgary (Jack FM). The Show is funny, irreverent, and involved in the community. Matt (the host) has worked on mental health causes for years, mostly behind the scenes. But we’ve been working on expanding the show’s appeal and Matt embraced the idea by allowing himself to be vulnerable on-air.
A few months ago, the show began a weekly segment featuring Karen Burt from the Calgary Canadian Mental Health Association. Most shows would avoid a weekly interview like this. Most shows should avoid segments like this. But for Matt and Sarah, it provides a context for adding depth to the show’s brand.
Recently, Karen forwarded this note from someone that reached out to her organization:
Once a week, for the past 18 weeks, I have had the privilege of being on JACK 96.9 in the mornings with Matt O’Neill, Sarah Crosbie and Rosie the producer. (I just know him as Rosie.)
Matt is very open about his journey with alcohol and depression. And I think he is one of the bravest men I know. Because of his openness and the authenticity of the whole team, he, Sarah and Rosie have given CMHA Calgary a space to talk about mental health, ideas, coping strategies and generally share how we are REALLY doing, openly and honestly.
Today I got a message from someone who wishes to remain anonymous. He told me that he has been listening to the little mental health segment most weeks and while he has tried some of the ideas, they haven’t really worked for him. He thinks it might be because he has not been well enough to use them.
This person shared that having us talk so openly on the Morning Show, he felt like he wasn’t alone. He had reached out for some help with his Doctor. And he wanted to say thank you.
Some times working in mental health can be really, really hard. Sometimes struggling through mental health can be really, really hard.
This is an example of the power of personality radio. And here’s an example of how the show’s weekly feature sounds on Jack-FM: