The American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF) is proud to announce that its flagship public awareness campaign Mental Health Care Works has earned a Silver Anthem Award in 2024. Mental Health Care Works, which launched in 2023, is a multi-year, multimedia campaign that engages individuals and communities to take the first step in seeking care if their mental health requires it. In its inaugural year, Mental Health Care Works launched in the pilot areas of Raleigh and Durham, NC, Denver, CO, and the Washington, D.C. metro area, achieving over 56 million audience impressions.
The Mental Health Care Works campaign combines the medical expertise of the American Psychiatric Association with the community engagement of the APA Foundation to connect more people, particularly those from minoritized communities, with mental health care resources they need and deserve. Using a series of personas who experience common mental health concerns – such as anxiety or postpartum depression – Mental Health Care Works engages audience members and provides them with resources for finding care. Resources include a guide on speaking with your doctor about mental health, tips to support a loved one in seeking mental health care, and more.
“We are honored that the deeply necessary Mental Health Care Works campaign has been recognized by the Anthem Awards,” said Rawle Andrews, Jr., Esq., Executive Director of the APA Foundation. “There is no health without mental health. Raising awareness of the effectiveness of mental health care and linking more people to the available resources is crucial if we aim to improve the overall health of our communities.”
The Anthem Awards, now in their third year, recognize mission-driven social impact work across multiple categories, including Responsible Technology; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and Education, Art, and Culture. The APA Foundation’s Silver Award falls under the category of Humanitarian Action and Services. Past Anthem Award recipients include the American Red Cross, Gloria Steinem, Ben & Jerry’s, Human Rights Watch, Amanda Gorman, and Sesame Street Workshop.
To learn more about the campaign, visit mentalhealthcareworks.org. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988 or visit FindTreatment.gov for immediate assistance.