Be Vocal: Speak Up for Mental Health – is an initiative encouraging people to use their voices in support of mental health. It aims to empower adults living with mental health conditions to speak up when talking with their professional support team and to speak up as a community to advance mental health in America. The campaign evolved out of The Mental Health Listening & Engagement Tour in 2014, where Demi Lovato had the opportunity to learn from top mental health advocates about the power of advocacy, and why it is important to advocate for yourself and others within the community. We need to treat mental health conditions with the same attention and care as any medical condition. The brain is an organ, too.
Bring Change 2 Mind – a non-profit organization working together to end the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness through widely distributed public education materials and programs, based on the latest scientific insights and measured for effectiveness. Bring Change 2 Mind is a national anti-stigma campaign aimed at removing misconceptions about mental illness. The idea was born out of a partnership between Glenn Close and Fountain House, where Glenn volunteered in order to learn more about mental illness, which both her sister, Jessie, and her nephew Calen, live with.
Campaign for Social Inclusion – SAMHSA’s Resource Center to Promote Acceptance, Dignity and Social Inclusion Associated with Mental Health (ADS Center) – The Campaign for Social Inclusion is a multiyear national public education campaign to educate the general public about social inclusion. People with mental health and/or substance use conditions are more likely to fully recover and rebuild their lives when they have access not only to care and services, but also to social, economic, educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities that most citizens take for granted. A socially inclusive society promotes the necessary supports and opportunities for people in recovery to contribute to their communities as peers, parents, employees, residents, students, volunteers, teachers, and active citizens. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA ) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.
EverydayMatters – Netsmart sponsored the launch of http://www.EveryDayMatters.com to provide an online community for those who are cause-connected, passionate and vision driven about the opportunities in behavioral and public health. The site offers clinicians, practitioners, consumers and community members a place to share stories, celebrate successes, become enlightened and inspired, and debunk myths and stigma about mental health and public health issues.
HeadsUpGuys – There are many misconceptions about depression that make it difficult for men to talk to others and take charge of their health. Because of these myths, men will often talk about feeling angry or irritable rather than sad or down. The myths can also prevent them from reaching out to others. HeadsUpGuys provides a platform for men to speak out, and to help break down the myths, reduce the stigma, and tackle their illness. Men often want to fix things on their own, but when it comes to fighting depression, a team approach is best. HeadsUpGuys encourages men to reach out to others, and to access the resources available to treat their depression as early as possible.
The Hidden Pictures Project – a grassroots campaign created to help spark dialogue on important mental health topics. The Project was launched subsequent to the release of Delaney Ruston’s documentary, “Hidden Pictures.” By sharing short films, which demonstrate true compassion; the campaign is intended to remind us we all have the power, through collaboration and action, to help make the hidden pictures of mental illness a thing of the past.
The Hot Stove Project – The Hot Stove Project is dedicated to integrating people who think, feel, or behave outside of expected norms in the hope of contributing to the elimination of bias in the workplace and other environments by increasing dialogue across different perspectives.
Living With: – is a project dedicated to empowering anyone dealing with mental health to be confident in themselves and their approach to handling daily obstacles. It started as a college thesis and it’s grown to become a nationwide social endeavor that sparks new conversations and new perceptions about mental health.
MindingDiversity – is an informational resource intended to Bring Diversity to Mind. Its intention is to encourage those, who are currently employed to complete an “anonymous” survey, which will be used to illustrate the range, and prevalence of mental “illness” hidden behind “cubicle” walls. MindingDiversity’s mission is to reduce, fight, and ultimately eliminate the stigma surrounding mental “diversity” by…1. Recognizing organizations, which authentically understand and embrace “diversity.” 2. Enlightening organizations about the hidden challenges employees face, and revealing how these difficulties can impact the entire organization. 3. Demonstrating the prevalence of mental “disorders,” and encouraging a society, where every individual feels “safe” to request the workplace accommodations necessary to maximize their productivity, and reach their full potential. Encouraging “human” rights. 4. Reinforcing the importance of preventative medicine. 5. Educating communities about what mental “illness” is, and what it is NOT; acknowledging the controversial line between the “haves,” and “have nots;” illustrating that a mental disorder can affect any one at any time for any (or no obvious) reason at all.
A New State of Mind: Ending the Stigma of Mental Illness – Each Mind Matters – California’s Mental Health Movement – dedicated to a shared vision of mental wellness and equality. Wellness doesn’t mean we’ll never need help. It means we are proactive, positive and resilient when faced with challenges. We believe in healing through action, strength through diversity and power through collaboration. The elimination of stigma is essential to prevention, early intervention and support for those experiencing mental health challenges.
NoStigmas – The mission of NoStigmas is to raise awareness and erase the stigmas about suicide and mental illness by educating the general public about mental health, helping those affected by mental illness, and sharing inspiring stories of hope. We aim to aid the growth of this understanding and foster a community environment in which individuals with mental illness are able seek treatment with the support of those near to them. This general shift in thinking regarding mental health begins with a change of perspective on the individual level. Our methodology is to recruit and educate individuals, known as Stigma Erasers, who become advocates for understanding through their day-to-day interactions. We aim to further break down stereotypes by means of a public forum called The NoStigmas Project, in which Stigma Erasers share their stories of hope and recovery in order to promote understanding and inspire those who are struggling to find their own path of healing.
PROJECT 375 – After being diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder in 2010, Brandon Marshall and his wife Michi co-founded PROJECT 375 to help promote awareness of mental health, end the stigma, and raise funding for treatment.
Project Semicolon (The Semicolon Project) – a faith-based non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and love to those who are struggling with depression, suicide, addiction and self-injury. “A semicolon represents a sentence the author could have ended, but chose not to. The sentence is your life and the author is you.” Your Story Isn’t Over Yet. Project Semicolon exists to encourage, love and inspire. “The vision is that together we can achieve lower suicide rates in the US and around the world; that together we can start a conversation about suicide, mental illness and addiction that can’t be stopped.”
The RIGHT DIRECTION – Our goal is to raise awareness about stress and depression in the workplace, demystify the symptoms and treatments, and give you the information you need to get help. When you’re dealing with stress and depression, you may feel like you’re “in a fog.” You just don’t feel like yourself anymore. This website can be your first step on the path to brighter, clearer days.
Stand Up For Mental Health Campaign – dedicated to eliminating the stigma of mental illness, including self-stigma, and letting others know that talking about mental health openly is a good thing. By Standing Up for Mental Health, you’ll let others know:
- There is nothing “wrong” with having a mental illness.
- People with a mental illness are not alone in what they are dealing with.
- People with a mental illness shouldn’t feel ashamed or forced to hide their mental illness symptoms and desire for effective treatment.
- Mental health stigma will no longer be tolerated.
Stand Up To Stigma – One Mind Research – One Mind reaches out to both public and private individuals and companies to educate them about the current state of care for individuals with diseases and injuries related to the brain. We recognize the stigma associated with the invisible injuries and currently educate everyone we reach out to. We are drafting a strategic plan for expanding public awareness and understanding of brain disorders and injuries in order to eliminate the stigma, shame, and discrimination associated with diseases and injury of the brain. The campaign, which will launch in 2015, will include PSA’s, print advertising, social media, radio and television, and the internet.
This is My Brave – dedicated to ending the stigma surrounding mental illness by sharing true personal stories through poetry, essay and song. This is My Brave’s mission is to ignite and actively promote―through community programs and social media― a positive, supportive national conversation about mental illness for those who live with, or love someone who lives with, a mental illness. Sharing stories and experiences of those in recovery provides a sense of community and hope, and encourages others to share their stories. Each time a story is shared, there’s another crack helping to break down the stigma of mental illness. It’s time to be brave and bring mental health issues into the spotlight. They have been in the dark too long. There’s strength found in people coming together as a community to propel a movement forward. “One day we will live in a world where we won’t have to call it “brave” when talking about mental illness. We’ll just call it talking.”
Time to Change – England’s biggest “programme” to challenge mental health stigma and discrimination.
OK2Talk – Teens and young adults who live with mental illness can feel hopeless and alone. Many don’t know what’s wrong with them but feel like it’s their fault. Those who understand what is happening fear they can’t be helped. Because of the stigma attached to mental illness, it’s often hard for those suffering and their families and friends to talk about what they’re going through. But help is available, and it works.
Love Has No Labels – Before anything else, we are all human. It’s Time to embrace diversity. Let’s put aside labels in the name of love. – The truth about bias and prejudice.
Be Counted! Illuminate Mental Diversity at Work.
There is safety (AND strength) in numbers. “All for one, and one for all.”
Suggestions, feedback, comments, and questions welcomed at MindingDiversity@aol.com
© April 2016
Minding Diversity 