The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in
partnership with the Ad Council, has launched a national awareness public
service advertising campaign whose goal is to decrease the negative attitudes
surrounding mental illnesses and encourage young adults aged 18 to 25 to
support friends living with mental health problems. The ads can be accessed at<www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov>.
In partnership with Alloy Media, the Ad Council and SAMHSA distributed
450,000 campus packs, which included campaign brochures and additional
materials for students, to bookstores at more than 200 colleges and
universities.
The initiative is part of SAMHSA's National Mental Health Anti-Stigma
Campaign, whose partners include the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, the National Institute of Mental Health, state mental health
agencies, and organizations that represent provider organizations and consumer
and family member groups. ▪