Craft beer for mental health
USA | A laudable initiative, The “Things we don’t say IPA” project, was launched to create awareness for mental health by encouraging people to talk about their experiences and feelings, both good and bad, and to demonstrate the importance of asking for help when needed.
Named after Hope For The Day’s mental health education curriculum, “Things we don’t say IPA”is a 6 percent ABV IPA, which will be released in May 2021, in conjunction with Hope For The Day’s Shake The Stigma awareness campaign for Mental Health Month 2021.
This is an effort among the craft beer community and its supporters to encourage everyone to start the conversation about their mental health, as well as bring attention to the mental health services available in respective areas.
Participating breweries will be provided with a basic “Things we don’t say IPA” recipe from Eagle Park Brewing & Distilling and a partially customisable label template courtesy of Egoproof.
Make a donation
Organisers are asking for a portion of the proceeds from sales to be donated to help support Hope For The Day’s proactive suicide prevention and mental health education. Whether that be a percentage of sales, a dollar amount per unit sold, or a flat amount, any and all contributions from this project will help continuing the good work. Additional donations are also appreciated.
Matt Smith, owner of Wandering Soul Beer in Beverly, Massachusetts, released “Things We Don’t Say” New England Double IPA in 2019 to highlight the impact on his own mental health after the stillbirth of his daughter. Matt and his wife experienced the trauma of loss first hand, but not being able to talk about it, or not wanting to make anyone around them uncomfortable, was equally painful.
A complete information and support package is available online on the “Hope For The Day” website: hftd.org/thingswedontsayipa.
More than 50 breweries from the US, Canada, Brazil and Belgium have committed themselves so far. In case breweries do not have the funds right now, Malteurop Malt Co. and Hollingbery & Son Hop Co. are giving discounts on TWDS IPA ingredients, so you can get still involved, still turn a profit, and still manage a donation.
