Black Players for Change Star in National PSA Addressing Mental Health Crisis

The national amp8220Love Your Mindamp8221 campaign in collaboration with Black Players for Change today unveiled a new public service advertisement PSA encouraging individuals particularly men of color to make their mental health a priority amp8220Love Your Mindamp8221 is a collaboration from the Huntsman Mental Health Institute and the Ad Council designed to create a more open accepting and proactive society when it comes to mental healthThe PSA also available in Spanish stars current DC United soccer players and Black Players for Change members Matai Akinmboni and Cristian Damp225jome along with former players Bill Hamid Chris OdoiAtsem and Donovan Pines As the players acknowledge the pressures they feel and the importance of leaning on one another for support the video encourages viewers to likewise find strength in being vulnerable The video directs audiences to LoveYourMindTodayorg for free mental health resourcesquotBlack Players for Change is compelled to emphasize the critical importance of open and transparent conversations about mental healthamp8221 said Allen Hopkins Jr executive director Black Players for Change amp8220The complexities of our experiences as Black individuals in America demand recognition understanding and dialogue Together in steadfast partnership with the Love Your Mind campaign we are helping to build a culture where every voice is heard every struggle acknowledged and where the journey toward mental health is a path we walk hand in handquotAccording to research fielded by the Ad Council in October 2023 64 of Black and 63 of Hispanic adults report having a mental health condition whether professionally or selfdiagnosed rates higher than the general population 55 Of those with a condition only 43 and 42 respectively say they are getting help or treatmentamp8220Weamp8217re grateful to Black Players for Change for joining this important effort to help destigmatize mental health challenges and provide tips and resources to help everyone thriveamp8221 said Dr William A Smith chief administrative officer for justice equity diversity and inclusion at Huntsman Mental Health Institute amp8220People of color in our country face unique challenges including ongoing experiences of racism that can lead to amp8216racial battle fatigueamp8217 and weamp8217re proud to develop messages and resources that acknowledge and uplift themamp8221DC United supported the creation of the PSA by donating access to filming at Audi Field in Washington DC The video features the song amp8220Do Betteramp8221 which was provided pro bono by Top Dawg Entertainmentamp8217s rapper AbSoul The PSA will appear nationwide in advertising space donated by the mediaamp8220Working with athletes to break down the stigma surrounding mental health offers a unique opportunity to reach our audiences through the influential voices they look to both on and off the fieldamp8221 said Heidi Arthur chief campaign development officer the Ad Council quotTogether with such incredible partners we are changing the game by spreading a message of empathy resilience and empowerment that will resonate beyond the fieldquotThe amp8220Love Your Mindamp8221 campaign first launched in October 2023 with PSAs designed to resonate with Black and Hispanic men Throughout 2024 and beyond PSAs events and partnerships including this collaboration with Black Players for Change will extend this work and reach additional distinct audiences within the millions of US adults who experience mental health challenges while also holding attitudes and beliefs that may discourage them from seeking helpFor more information about the amp8220Love Your Mindamp8221 campaign and to access free mental health resources visit LoveYourMindTodayorg or follow the campaign on Instagram Facebook X and TikTokAbout Huntsman Mental Health InstituteHuntsman Mental Health Institute at University of Utah Health brings together 75 years of patient care research and education into one of the nationamp8217s leading academic medical centers focused on mental health Nestled in the campus of University of Utah Huntsman Mental Health Institute serves the community with 1600 faculty and staff in 20 locations providing inpatient and outpatient services for youth teens and adults as well as a comprehensive crisis care model which includes the nationally recognized SafeUT app and the 988 crisis hotline for Utah Our mission is to advance mental health knowledge hope and healing for all Learn more at HMHIutahedu and join the conversation on Instagram Facebook TikTok X and LinkedInAbout The Ad CouncilThe Ad Council convenes creative storytellers to educate unite and uplift audiences by opening hearts inspiring action and accelerating change around the most pressing issues in America Since the nonprofitamp8217s founding the organization and its partners in advertising media marketing and tech have been behind some of the countryamp8217s most iconic social impact campaigns amp8211 Smokey Bear A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Waste Love Has No Labels Tear the Paper Ceiling and many more With a current focus on mental health gun safety the opioid epidemic skillbased hiring and other critical issues the Ad Councilamp8217s national campaigns encompass advertising and media content ground game and community efforts trusted messenger and influencer engagement and employer programs among other innovative strategies to move the needle on the most important issues of the dayMental Health Initiative uniting brands marketers media companies and nonprofits to address the mental health crisis throughout the US at scale With a founding investment from Huntsman Mental Health Institute the multiyear initiative aims to change social norms and create a society that is more open accepting and proactive when it comes to mental healthTo learn more or get involved visit AdCouncilorg join the Ad Council39s communities on Facebook Instagram LinkedIn and X and view campaign creative on YouTubeAbout Black Players for ChangeBlack Players for Change is an independent 501c3 organization consisting of over 170 Black players coaches and staff of Major League Soccer working to bridge the racial equality gap that exists in society Black Players for Change is committed to tackling the racial injustices that have limited Black people from having an equitable stake in the game of soccer and society Among the many goals the organization strives to advance the attention on human rights inequalities from protest to programs partnerships and policies that address systemic discriminationAbout DC UnitedOne of the founding clubs of Major League Soccer in 1996 DC United are among the most decorated teams in the United States with 13 domestic and international trophiesDC United have called the District home for the past 27 seasons and play their home games at Audi Field in the Buzzard Point neighborhood of Southwest Washington DC which opened in 2018 In addition to DC United games the 20000seat soccerspecific stadium hosts over 100 events yearround including the Districtamp8217s premier arts culinary and music festival Unite the District Fest Audi Field is also home to Americaamp8217s number one sportsbook through a partnership with FanDuel GroupThe BlackandRed have won the MLS Cup four times 1996 1997 1999 and 2004 the Supportersamp8217 Shield four times 1997 1999 2006 and 2007 and the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup three times 1996 2008 and 2013amp8239amp8239amp8239For more information and club updates please sign up for our newsletter and find us on social media dcunitedPosted at MediaVillage through the Thought Leadership selfpublishing platformClick the social buttons to share this story with colleagues and friendsThe opinions expressed here are the author39s views and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillageorgMyersBizNet

SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE MEDIAVILLAGE CONTENT | BECOME A THOUGHT LEADERSHIP CONTRIBUTOR

Black Players for Change Star in National PSA Addressing Mental Health Crisis

Publish date

Channel

Archived in

FEMA and the Ad Council Encourage AANHPI Communities to Enhance Disaster Preparedness in New PSAs - Ad Council InSites

More Videos:

SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE MEDIAVILLAGE CONTENT | BECOME A THOUGHT LEADERSHIP CONTRIBUTOR

Black Players for Change Star in National PSA Addressing Mental Health Crisis

Enjoying This Commentary? There's More to Love

TAGS:

FEMA and the Ad Council Encourage AANHPI Communities to Enhance Disaster Preparedness in New PSAs - Ad Council InSites

Cookies