NAMI Launches New Public Service Announcement during Mental Health Month

Posted on May 13, 2016

ARLINGTON, Va., May 13, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), in partnership with the Hope & Grace Initiative, has launched "StigmaFree," a new public service announcement (PSA) for television featuring actress and mental health advocate Mayim Bialik. The PSA is part of NAMI's stigmafree campaign and was released to coincide with Mental Health Month, which is recognized every May.

The PSA, available in 30 and 15-second spots, features Bialik reminding viewers that words often used to describe someone with a mental health condition, such as nutjob, OCD and schizo, can be very harmful.

"In a country where one in five people are affected by a mental health condition, it's time for all of us to step up and change the conversation," Bialik says in the PSA. Bialik then calls on viewers to see the person, not the condition, and, "Join with me. Pledge to be stigmafree."

NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. Every May, NAMI marks Mental Health Month, bringing awareness to mental health, fighting stigma, providing support, educating the public and advocating for equal care. Each year, the movement grows stronger.

L.A.-based Buzzfeed donated services for creating and producing the PSAs, which were filmed in April 2016. To view the PSA, click here. Learn more about NAMI at nami.org or visit us on our Facebook and Twitter page.

To learn more about the Hope & Grace Initiative, please visit http://hopeandgracecommunity.com.