BringChange2Mind.org is a not-for-profit organization created by Glenn Close, the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF), Fountain House, and Garen and Shari Staglin of IMHRO (International Mental Health Research Organization).
The idea of a national anti-stigma campaign was born of a partnership between Glenn Close and Fountain House, where Glenn volunteered out of an interest in mental illness due to the illnesses of her sister and nephew.
BringChange2Mind’s mission is twofold:
- to provide people with misconceptions about mental illness quick and easy access to information that combats stigma
- to provide people with mental illness, and those who know them, quick and easy access to information and support
This information will be offered via a user-friendly website portal, directing visitors to the critical resources they need.
This is the first effort of this magnitude in U.S. history.
Ron Howard generously donated his time in directing the organization’s first PSA featuring Glenn Close and her sister, Jessie Close.
John Mayer generously donated his song, “Say” which serves as an anthem for this movement.
The campaign has the support of major mental health organizations, including the Active Minds, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), International Mental Health Research Organization (IMHRO), the Jed Foundation, Mental Health America (MHA), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), NARSAD, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH),and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Why is fighting stigma important?
- 1 in 6 adults and 1 in 10 children have a diagnosable mental illness.
- Up to 2/3 of people with a mental illness never seek treatment because of stigma.
- Stigma influences up to 2/3 of people in treatment to drop out.
- Stigma creates feelings of isolation, shame, and in some cases, the stress of these things can exacerbate the illness.
- Stigma perpetuates discrimination in housing, employment, and social interaction.
- Evidence suggests that stigma is actually getting worse, not better.
- The effects of stigma can be as painful as the disease itself.
