Kevin Lyman and Talinda Bennington announce big change to 320 Festival

320 Festival, the mental-health awareness event created by Kevin Lyman and Talinda Bennington, has changed course. Due to the global coronavirus pandemic, 320 will now be going online. The nonprofit is teaming up with KNEKT.TV to have the event streamed via the internet. On May 8-10, viewers can watch the free event via Facebook Live, YouTube Live and the KNEKT.TV Network on Roku and Apple TV.

“The idea for 320 Festival was born out of my personal experience and the recognition that we can do better to address the needs of those who are suffering with mental health concerns and addiction,” 320 co-founder Talinda Bennington says, who was married to Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington. “For 13 years, I watched my husband Chester struggle with depression and substance use. I often felt scared and alone. I was uneducated about the challenges he faced, and I wanted information. But finding answers to my questions and available help for our family was very difficult. We need to change the culture of mental health so those in need—and their family members—are able to speak openly about their struggles so they can seek the care they deserve.”

Read more: Talinda Bennington explains Chester’s posthumous impact

It was Bennington and Lyman’s strong belief that canceling the event was not an option. If anything, it further strengthened their resolve.

“In times of adversity, it has always been about adapting,” Lyman says. “We are glad we were able to work with KNEKT.TV to bring the 320 Festival online.”

“KNEKT.TV was born out of a vision and commitment to provide the world with accessible viewing, positive connections and content that matters,” KNEKT.TV’s Kent Speakman says. “There has never been a more significant time to bring this technology to support humanity. It is an honor to be part of this historic moment when wellness, finance and isolation add critical significance to all aspects of mental health. We at KNEKT are honored to be a part of such an important moment in history, bringing together everyone around the world, on this topic, while we are all, equally at home, and connection in this digital world is a big part of where humanity stands today.”

Read more: Chester Bennington’s son Jamie to perform at Strange ’80s benefit

The 320 Festival ONLINE will include live performances and a bevy of representatives from nonprofits to discuss mental health challenges. Artists slated to appear include Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October, Lindsey Stirling, Everclear’s Art Alexakis, Social House, Bruce Wiegner, Dylan Dunlap, Elohim, Evaride, Frank Zummo of Sum 41, gnash, Holy Wars, Moontower, Rouxx and more.

The 320 Festival educational sessions will feature discussions and presentations on significant topics as Cultural Perspectives on Mental Health, Social Media: The Age of Anxiety, Coping and Thriving After Trauma, The Psyche of Sports: Lessons Learned On and Off the Court, Prevention Resources: Learn the 5 Signs and How to Help, Criminalizing Mental Illness: America’s Shame, Hope for the Day’s Things We Don’t Say Workshop, Music’s Effects on Mental Health and Addiction, Being an Activist and a Creative: How to Channel Both of Your Passions to Impact Your Community, Mental Health + The Education System, Living with Addiction, Mental Health In The Workplace and more.

Read more: Kevin Lyman warns against a premature return to live music

 

Panelists and speakers participating at 320 Festival include Jason Flom (CEO of Lava Records and criminal justice advocate), Justin Brooks (director of the California Innocence Project), Tara Conner (Miss USA 2006), Erin Raftery Ryan (executive director, NAMI, Westside LA), Tiffany Jenkins (Juggling The Jenkins), DJ Nash (executive producer of A Million Little Things), Bob Fitzgerald (television play-by-play broadcaster of the Golden State Warriors), Torri Shack (executive director/founder of Tangible Movements), Justin Furstenfeld (Blue October), Wesley Geer (founder of Rock To Recovery, founding member of Hed PE, touring member of Korn), Greg Williams (filmmaker, The Anonymous People and Generation Found), Brian Mackenzie (breathing coach, founder and creative director at Power Speed Endurance, co-founder & creative director for MyState, LLC, president & co-founder of Health and Human Performance Foundation), Nazanin Mandi (actress, model and singer), Jennifer Gimenez (model, actress, TV personality, addiction specialist and speaker), Gabe Escobar (TikTok influencer and mental health advocate), Paul Zak, Ph.D., Jamie Tworkowski (founder of TWLOHA), Jonny Boucher (founder and CEO of Hope For The Day and Sip Of Hope), Richard “Wolfie” Wolf (author of In Tune: Music As The Bridge To Mindfulness, Emmy Award-winning composer, multi-platinum selling producer, CEO of Producers Lab, Inc., USC adjunct professor), Joel Rivas (CEO and founder of Saint City Culinary Foundation), LJ Malberg (founder and president Compassionate Muse), Christmas Bacos (Sr. director of Workplace Mental Health, HFTD), James Kinney (VP, People Of Advertising Agency and co-founder of Disrupt HR LA) and more.

For more information on 320 Festival Online, visit www.320Festival.com.