NY State Office of Mental Health Community Mental Health Anti-Stigma Campaigns
These 7 Anti-Stigma Campaigns were funded by the New York State Office of Mental Health and the New York State Tax Check-off Funds for Mental Health Stigma Reduction
Webinar Registrations:
- Integrated Community Alternatives Network (ICAN)
Mental Health: Everyone Has It. Every Day. Breaking the Stigma with ICAN’s Innovative Campaign
View the ICAN Webinar Recording Webinar Overview: Join us for an in-depth look at ICAN’s innovative “Mental Health: Everyone Has It. Every Day.” campaign, created to reduce mental health stigma among youth in New York. This campaign used Mental Health Ambassadors to engage pre-teens and teens with relatable, real-life stories and impactful resources. Learn about the strategies behind the campaign’s success and explore tools to foster open conversations about mental health in our communities. - Hands Across Long Island, Inc. (HALI) – Stories of Stigma in the Healthcare System
Register for this Webinar – 11/21/24 @ 2PM EST Discover “Overshadowed: Stories of Stigma in the Healthcare System,” an impactful project by Hands Across Long Island, Inc. (HALI) aimed at addressing stigma experienced by people with mental health conditions in medical care. This session highlights real stories shared through HALI’s collaboration with documentary filmmaker Lucy Winer, exploring the effects of stigma and diagnostic overshadowing in healthcare settings. Learn about HALI’s approach to reducing stigma through storytelling and community education, and gain insight into ongoing efforts to improve patient-provider understanding. - WeSpeakNYC – A Toolkit for Overcoming Mental Health Stigma in BIPOC Communities
Register for this Webinar – 12/3/24 @ 2PM EST Discover WeSpeakNYC: A Toolkit for Overcoming Mental Health Stigma in BIPOC Communities, a transformative resource developed by Dr. Dana L. Collins and Dr. Lauren Gonzales to address stigma in mental health care. Created in collaboration with local mental health organizations and rooted in community voices, this toolkit uses a participatory approach to offer culturally relevant tools that challenge stigma within BIPOC communities. This session will delve into the toolkit’s creation process, share valuable insights, and explore strategies for effective, collaborative anti-stigma initiatives. - NAMI-NYC – Breaking Mental Health Stigma in the NYC Hispanic/Latino Community
Register for this Webinar – 12/5/24 @ 2PM EST Explore how NAMI-NYC’s Emmy-winning PSA is making a meaningful impact in addressing mental health stigma within New York City’s Hispanic/Latino community. With an emphasis on family support, this PSA highlights the struggles of a mother and daughter navigating mental health challenges and illustrates how caregivers can find resources and support. Learn about the PSA’s development, insights from the community, and the transformative changes observed among viewers. This webinar provides tools for fostering open dialogue and resilience within culturally diverse communities. - STAR Program at SUNY Downstate Health and Sciences University – Breaking Down Barriers: The STAR Program’s “Stop Mental Health Stigma” Campaign
Register for this Webinar – 12/9/24 @ 2PM EST Learn about the impactful work of the STAR Program’s “Stop Mental Health Stigma” campaign, a SUNY Downstate initiative funded by the New York State Office of Mental Health, aimed at dismantling mental health stigma through education, outreach, and community engagement. Featuring insights from Behavioral Health Director Michelle Melendez, MS, LCSW, CHC, and media consultant Jose Iorio, this session explores how social media, suicide prevention training, and community partnerships amplify the campaign’s reach. Discover how diverse community voices and targeted outreach strategies are creating a foundation for lasting change in mental health awareness and support. - United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region (UWDOR) – Empowering Communities through Inclusion and Mental Health Anti-Stigma Efforts
Register for this Webinar – 12/11/24 @ 2PM EST Explore how the United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region (UWDOR) is fostering community inclusion and reducing mental health stigma through its impactful Stigma Reduction Project. Led by Melissa Clark, VP of Community Impact, the initiative brings together diverse populations through engaging programs, such as the MLK and Juneteenth Equity Challenges, workshops on DEI and mental health stigma, and community conversations on food insecurity. This program reaches over 214,000 individuals annually, emphasizing mental health, social determinants of health, and inclusivity, while actively addressing barriers to participation and learning. Join us to learn best practices and insights on creating lasting community impact through inclusive programming. - Yates INSYGHT – Combating Mental Health Stigma in a Rural Community
Register for this Webinar – 12/13/24 @ 2PM EST Discover how Yates INSYGHT, in collaboration with the Yates County Community Services Department, is transforming rural mental health care by promoting stigma reduction. This initiative utilized countywide billboard and bus wrap messaging, postcard distributions, and QR code-linked posters to normalize mental health conversations and support resources. Through a social media campaign that reached 46,000 individuals, the project expanded its impact across Yates County, creating safe spaces for open discussions. Partnerships with local organizations further amplified efforts, including a community celebration for Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, helping foster a supportive environment for all residents.
Behavioral Health News Summer 2022 Issue
“Understanding the Impact of Stigma”
Behavioral Health News Spring 2023 Issue
“Stigma: How We Can Make a Difference”
Roundtable 1
“Understanding the Experience of Mental Health Stigma”
Overview
This 90-minute virtual roundtable discussion will focus on providing attendees with a thorough understanding of the experience of mental health stigma, including but not limited to the various types of stigma, the impact of the stigma experience on the help-seeking behaviors of those experiencing mental health challenges, and how mental health stigma impacts the quality of care provided to people impacted by mental illness. Panelists will share their personal and professional experiences with mental health stigma.
Roundtable 2
“The Experience of Mental Health Stigma Among Diverse Groups”
Overview
This 90-minute virtual roundtable discussion will focus on the issue of the impact of mental health stigma on people from diverse populations, including BIPOC and members of the LGBTQ+ community. The discussion, facilitated by a psychologist, will delve into the nuances of intersectionality in the experience of multiple forms of stigma and how this intensifies the negative experience. This roundtable will increase attendees’ understanding of discrimination in the mental health system and improve overall cultural competence within the workforce.
Roundtable 3
“The Role of the Media in Reducing Stigma”
Overview
This 90-minute virtual roundtable discussion will focus on the role of the media’s impact on mental health stigma with a focus on the ways the media can promote positive contact and social inclusion to mitigate the effects of mental health stigma. This roundtable, facilitated by a psychologist, will improve attendees’ understanding of the media’s impact on mental health stigma and address common misconceptions and facts about those diagnosed with a mental illness.
Roundtable 4
“Paths to Reduce Stigma and Promote Positive Attitudes, Beliefs, and Behavior”
Overview
This 90-minute virtual roundtable discussion will focus on the work of community-based organizations and advocacy groups to identify and implement strategies to promote social inclusion, reduce mental health stigma, and/or mitigate its negative impact in the lives of people with mental illness. This roundtable, facilitated by a psychologist, will educate attendees about effective strategies to reduce the harmful effects of stigma on multiple levels, including, but not limited to, personal and structural stigma.
