A Change in Direction Is in the Air

It seems clear that a change is in the air. Clearly, people are interested in telling stories, in sharing stories, and in hearing stories about mental health, mental illness, recovery, and hope. Perhaps we are beginning to accept that all families face mental health challenges.
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On March 4, 2015, the Campaign to Change Direction -- a collective impact initiative to change the culture of mental health in America -- launched in Washington, D.C., with First Lady Michelle Obama as our keynote speaker. In order to reach this ambitious goal and encourage people to pay attention to their emotional well-being, Give an Hour and our partners are promoting a simple concept and creating a common frame. We are encouraging all Americans to learn the Five Signs of emotional suffering. Just as we know the signs of a heart attack, we can all learn the signs that may mean someone is suffering and needs our help.

At the time of the launch, the campaign had 50 partners pledging to share the Five Signs of emotional suffering with 30 million Americans over the next five years. In only six months, the campaign has grown to over 180 organizational partners who have already reached over 15 million Americans. Several new powerful partnerships are in the works that will bring even more reach and lift to this effort.

On July 21, 2015, President Obama drew attention to the Campaign to Change Direction during his remarks at the 116th National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During his speech, President Obama encouraged all Americans to do their part to end the stigma of mental health by learning the Five Signs of emotional suffering. Last month the campaign announced a partnership with Brian Wilson, co-founder of the Beach Boys, and the filmmakers of Love & Mercy, about Brian's musical genius and his struggle with mental illness. Cultural icons can do so much to amplify an issue and educate a nation.

In addition to Love & Mercy, we are now in discussion with the creators of two other films, who are eager to contribute to the conversation around mental health, mental illness, and emotional suffering. Richard Gere stars in Time Out of Mind a painfully honest film about a homeless man in New York City. And Touched with Fire, Paul Dalio's debut feature, stars Katie Holmes and Luke Kirby as two bipolar poets whose art is fueled by their emotional extremes. Both films are marked by impressive performances. Both films artfully convey the impact of unaddressed mental health issues on lives, families, and careers.

Celebrities and filmmakers are not the only ones who are stepping in to join the conversation and embrace the campaign. Organizations and communities all over the country are educating, engaging, and inspiring. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is distributing 20,000 wallet cards depicting the Five Signs during their "Out of the Darkness Walks" this fall. Our regional partners in LaCrosse, Wisc., distributed 10,000 wallet cards at a recent parade. Thanks to another campaign partner, Umttr, Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Md., is one of a number of schools that now display the Five Signs poster in classrooms and common areas throughout the school. And in Plano, Tex., the Plano West Senior High School newspaper, BluePrints, published two articles encouraging students to learn the signs and reach out to those in need.

Beyond the coordinated efforts of the Campaign to Change Direction, there are other signs of change. Patrick Kennedy, former Congressman and outspoken advocate for mental health parity in our nation, released a book about his own experience with mental illness and addiction (A Common Struggle: A Personal Journey through the Past and Future of Mental Health and Addiction). Mr. Kennedy is going public with his story in an effort to raise awareness and drive policy. And in a recent interview with CNN, Army Gen. Joe Votel, commander of U.S. Special Forces Command, acknowledged that he has used the behavioral health support programs offered by the U.S. military for his own family. In this compelling interview, the 35-year veteran of Special Operations delivered an important message to his troops: "It is absolutely normal and expected that you will ask for help."

So what does this all mean and where do we go from here? It seems clear that a change is in the air. Clearly, people are interested in telling stories, in sharing stories, and in hearing stories about mental health, mental illness, recovery, and hope. Perhaps we are beginning to accept that all families face mental health challenges -- just as all families face physical health challenges. Until three years ago, I didn't talk about my mother's schizophrenia. I was afraid that people would judge me because of a condition that my mother didn't choose. Now, after explaining the goal of the campaign and sharing my story with audiences across the country, people line up to share their stories with me - and they thank the Campaign for giving them permission to be honest about themselves and those they love. Perhaps we are moving closer to the realization that learning how to recognize the signs of emotional suffering--like learning how to recognize the signs of a heart attack--can save lives. As First Lady Michelle Obama articulated so powerfully at the launch of the Campaign to Change Direction last spring, "Mental health is just as vital as our physical health, so it's time we started treating it that way."

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