The Mental Health Talk is Big and Infinite

Eight years ago, on May 16, 2014, hit band Future 20 Down’s lead singer lost his father, Ed Lally, to suicide after a long battle with depression and anxiety. Since then, his son Jordan Lally has begun the “Ed Lally Foundation” and his band changed their name to Big Infinite; they now spend their time writing songs/giving presentations about mental health. 

However, his father’s suicide was not his first encounter with depression and anxiety. For over 20 years before his father’s death, Jordan Lally battled depression and anxiety throughout his entire life. Having unhealthy coping mechanisms, hiding his declining mental health, and the feeling of loneliness all led him to stay in bed for months at a time. His father’s death was a wake-up call for him and is what led him to give a presentation to the staff and students at Fallston High School last Friday, December 2nd. Members Jordan Lally, DJ Fitzges, and Andre Toney played some of their songs, shared personal stories, and answered students’ questions asked by the Active Minds officers. 

“When I first lost my dad, I was justifying it all, saying ‘I am depressed because [an old manager] took the money, I’m depressed because my life isn’t going the way I thought it would, I’m depressed because of this, I’m depressed because of that,” he told students and staff of Fallston High School.  

To show students that they are not alone in their struggles, the band sent around mini paper surveys and had students fill them out anonymously. After, the surveys were collected and redistributed at random. The members took turns reading the questions off. If the corresponding question had a certain answer checked off, students were instructed to stand. Questions like “Have you ever struggled with depression?” were read and at one point, it seemed that the entire student body was on their feet.  

Jordan Lally joined his band in playing “Any Day is Every Day,” an unreleased song by the band while the students shined their flashlights and clapped along. After the round of applause, Jordan admitted to this being the first time he has seen a wave of lights to any of his songs.  

They explained the power of being vulnerable and speaking up, sharing firsthand experiences about how this changed their lives. “If you’re honest about what you’re going through, then you allow others to do the same,” they said. “We encourage you guys to talk about your feelings and be vulnerable when you do.” 

Finally, Lally described how meditation helped him begin to overcome his social anxiety and be more grateful for those who genuinely love him. Having the suicide prevention hotline up, texting 988, and the meditation app called hminnovations.org/meditation-app Jordan added that “I would encourage everyone to download, just to give it a shot.” 

Big Infinite sang their new song “Cherish It” while encouraging the student body to participate in a meditation to the soft melodies and raw vocals. In the song, he explains how he has learned to ‘cherish’ those he is grateful for and to ignore those who try to bring him down.  

“I am not a polished public speaker, and I am not a flawless musician; I am a human being,” he stated. 

As they ended their presentation, they shared their final stories and played one last song that not only does not have a name yet, but they call their “Thank You” song. After stories, songs, lessons, and talk of vulnerability, Big Infinite left Cougar Nation with one final remark: “Any day is every day is if you live it the right way.”