David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
National Anti Stigma Campaign Launched
December 4, 2006
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the Ad Council have launched the National Anti Stigma Campaign (NASC), releasing a national survey of public attitudes on stigma and unveiling free multimedia public service announcements (PSAs).
For the first time in history, the authority of the federal government is being put behind a sustained national PSA campaign to reduce stigma and encourage support of people with mental illnesses. It is also the first time that the tremendous leverage of the Ad Council?the folks who created Smokey the Bear?is being made available to the entire mental health community.
The PSAs are specifically targeted to 18-25 year olds. Starting today, resources will be available at www.whatadifference.org. An Ad Council fact sheet also is available now on the NAMI Web site.
In recent months, many NAMI state leaders participated in regional training meetings in DC, LA and Chicago around these PSAs. Special thanks goes to these NAMI state leaders and StigmaBusters who have been involved in preparations for the launch for three years, and to all In Our Own Voice presenters, who have been a model for a key part of the grassroots campaign.
The work is not yet complete, however. Grassroots action still is needed to ensure placement of these PSAs in the media. To find out what you can do, visit www.whatadifference.org and click on "Partner/Grassroots Organizations" at the top of the page.
Other Resources:
View the PSA's from SAMHSA and the Ad Council
NAMI's StigmaBusters
The ADS Center, the Resource Center to Address Discrimination and Stigma
December 4, 2006
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the Ad Council have launched the National Anti Stigma Campaign (NASC), releasing a national survey of public attitudes on stigma and unveiling free multimedia public service announcements (PSAs).
For the first time in history, the authority of the federal government is being put behind a sustained national PSA campaign to reduce stigma and encourage support of people with mental illnesses. It is also the first time that the tremendous leverage of the Ad Council?the folks who created Smokey the Bear?is being made available to the entire mental health community.
The PSAs are specifically targeted to 18-25 year olds. Starting today, resources will be available at www.whatadifference.org. An Ad Council fact sheet also is available now on the NAMI Web site.
In recent months, many NAMI state leaders participated in regional training meetings in DC, LA and Chicago around these PSAs. Special thanks goes to these NAMI state leaders and StigmaBusters who have been involved in preparations for the launch for three years, and to all In Our Own Voice presenters, who have been a model for a key part of the grassroots campaign.
The work is not yet complete, however. Grassroots action still is needed to ensure placement of these PSAs in the media. To find out what you can do, visit www.whatadifference.org and click on "Partner/Grassroots Organizations" at the top of the page.
Other Resources:
View the PSA's from SAMHSA and the Ad Council
NAMI's StigmaBusters
The ADS Center, the Resource Center to Address Discrimination and Stigma
