The National Association of Broadcasters has launched a new public service announcement campaign featuring teens and young adults opening up about their experiences with mental illness. The “OK2Talk” campaign includes TV and radio ads in English and Spanish, and uses social media to invite teens and young adults to create conversation.
Debuting on television and radio stations nationwide July 25, the PSAs will direct people to OK2Takl.org, a Tumblr-based community where teens and young adults struggling with mental health problems can share their personal stories. The site also includes resources for those seeking help.
OK2Talk was first announced at the White House last month as part of the National Conference on Mental Health, where the administration applauded NAB’s commitment to increase understanding and awareness of mental health. Building on the momentum created by the conference, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Roy Blunt and Mental Health Caucus Chairs Reps. Tim Murphy and Grace Napolitano joined NAB and its partners to unveil OK2Talk.
“Mental health needs to be an issue we can talk about openly and freely without the fear of being judged,” said Sebelius. “Thanks to the leadership of the NAB and organizations around the country, we are bringing mental health out of the shadows.”
Earlier this year, NAB joined Entertainment Industries Council in launching TEAM Up, an online resource that brings together mental health experts, entertainment industry professionals and journalists whose purpose is to encourage deeper reporting and more accurate depictions of mental illness.
