Health and Community Services
May 5, 2014
Creating Awareness to Support Families and Communities
Social Marketing Campaign Aims to Increase Understanding and Reduce Stigma
A new social marketing campaign, aimed at challenging, and ultimately changing the way people think and act toward individuals with a mental illness or addiction was launched today by the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister of Health and Community Services. The Provincial Government is investing $900,000 in the campaign, Understanding Changes Everything, which features everyday people who, despite living with a mental illness or addiction, lead fulfilling and successful lives.
“This is an important day in Newfoundland and Labrador as we help turn
the corner on the stigma and discrimination all too often associated with
mental illness and addiction. We know that one of the greatest challenges in
living with a mental illness or addiction is the stigma associated with it,
which often keeps individuals and families from reaching out for support and
services. Our campaign will change the way many people think about mental
illness and addiction by bringing awareness to the fact that one in five of
us will experience a mental illness or addiction in any given year.”
-
The Honourable Paul Davis, Minister of Health and Community Services
Year one of this three-year campaign will consist of television commercials, online and cinema advertising, as well as promotion through social media, including Facebook and Twitter.
“I am very pleased to see the launch of this important anti-stigma
initiative and I commend the Provincial Government for its efforts to create
awareness of mental illness and addiction. The stigma of mental illness and
addiction often hinders an individual’s recovery. We each have a role to
play in creating stigma-free communities where people can reach out and seek
the treatment and support they need.”
- Dr. Nizar Ladha,
Vice-Chair, Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Advisory Council
Residents are encouraged to visit
www.understandnow.ca
to view the campaign materials, learn more about
mental illness and addiction, and find ways to reach out to a family member,
friend or co-worker with a mental illness or addiction.
QUICK FACTS
- Through a Provincial Government investment of $900,000 the three-year Understanding Changes Everything social marketing campaign will challenge, and ultimately change, the way many people think and act towards individuals with mental illness and addiction.
- The campaign will consist of television commercials, online and cinema advertising, as well as promotion through social media, including Facebook and Twitter.
- Provincial Government invests approximately $100 million annually for mental health and addiction services provided by the four regional health authorities.
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Media contact:
Heather MacLean
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 697-4137
heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca
2014 05 05 1:20 p.m.