Fans to Create and Share Meaningful Friendship Videos in Support of Mental Health Square Enix to Donate $5 to JED for Every Video; Up to $25,000
LOS ANGELES, CA (August 28, 2017) – SQUARE ENIX®, publisher of award-winning and best-selling videogame franchises FINAL FANTASY® and TOMB RAIDER®, today announced LIFE IS STRANGE™: BEFORE THE STORM™ “Your Friend, Me,” a campaign that celebrates the power and importance of friendship while raising money in support of The Jed Foundation (JED), a nonprofit that exists to protect emotional health and prevent suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults.
Fans interested in participating in “Your Friend, Me,” and in turn, supporting mental health through the important work at JED, are encouraged to create and post short video messages that describe how a true friend has meaningfully impacted their life. Fans will sign off each video as if it were a letter to their friend, with “Your friend,” and then their name.
For every shared video that includes the #LifeisStrange and #YourFriendMe hashtags, Square Enix will donate $5 (up to $25,000) to JED. Each contribution will be used towards improving mental health and supporting suicide prevention efforts for teens and young adults nationwide.
To kick off the program and to help support National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, “Your Friend, Me” video stations will be set up at the Square Enix booth at GameStop 2017 Expo in Las Vegas. Some of these inspiring videos will be featured on the “Your Friend, Me” website. For official rules and additional details about LIFE IS STRANGE: BEFORE THE STORM “Your Friend, Me” visit: www.yourfriendme.com.
“We are grateful to Square Enix for helping to raise awareness for mental health and JED’s work,” said John MacPhee, CEO/Executive Director, JED. “We all encounter life’s challenges and support from friends can help us get through those difficult times. ‘Your Friend, Me’ is a wonderful way for people to share their story and express their genuine appreciation for a friend, all while spreading a positive message and helping to make a charitable contribution to JED.”
LIFE IS STRANGE: BEFORE THE STORM, like the original game that gave rise to the franchise, will reveal compelling storylines, unique to each player based on the choices they make within the game, and address many of the complex social issues and pressures facing today’s youth.
LIFE IS STRANGE: BEFORE THE STORM releases on Xbox One®, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Windows PC on August 31, 2017.
About JED
JED is a nonprofit that exists to protect emotional health and prevent suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. We’re partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance abuse and suicide prevention programs and systems. We’re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding and action for young adult mental health. Learn more: jedfoundation.org
About LIFE IS STRANGE: BEFORE THE STORM
LIFE IS STRANGE: BEFORE THE STORM is set in Arcadia Bay, three years before the events of the first game in the series. Players will take on the role of rebellious 16-year-old Chloe Price, who forms an unlikely friendship with Rachel Amber, a beautiful and popular girl destined for success. When Rachel’s world is turned upside down by a family secret, their new-found alliance gives them the strength to overcome their demons.
More information on the game can be found at https://www.lifeisstrange.com/
