NYAPRS Note: Here’s some background information and recommendations about today’s 9:30 Video Stream of the President’s National Conference on Mental Health. You can watch a webcast of the Conference live at http://www.whitehouse.gov/live from approximately 9:30 am to 2:45 pm (EDT).
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Friends,
Thank you for your commitments to help us increase awareness of mental health issues, promote mental and emotional health, and identify local strategies to reduce negative attitudes and help individuals in need access treatment.
As you may know, the White House is holding a National Conference on Mental Health on Monday, June 3, 2013. While this event is by invitation only due to space limitations, we would like to notify you that you can participate virtually by watching the webcast “live” (streamed at http://www.whitehouse.gov/live) and/or help us spread the word about the event.
In advance of the National Conference on Mental Health on Monday, many of you have asked how you can help amplify this important discussion and your role in it – whether in the press, on social media, or through other channels. Here (below and attached) are some general guidelines that may be helpful in getting the message out in advance of, during and after Monday’s event. Please note the timing for sending out press releases, Tweeting, and putting information out publicly, as well as some helpful language to describe the event itself. Also attached are some additional ideas for engaging the public before and after the conference.
Thanks for your patience as we pulled this together and, most importantly, your participation in this national conversation. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any additional questions.
Best,
Pam
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Pamela S. Hyde, J.D.
Administrator
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
1 Choke Cherry Road
Rockville, MD 20857
(240) 276-2000
Behavioral Health is Essential to Health. Prevention Works. Treatment is Effective. People Recover.
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SUGGESTED TIMING AND GUIDANCE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH AROUND
- PARTNERING ORGANIZATIONS: The White House has released a general announcement about the National Conference on Mental Health Friday afternoon, May 31. (See attached press release). It is fine for you to announce that your organization will be participating in the overall effort as a partnering organization, which includes issuing press releases, emails to your members, newsletters, Tweets, etc. We’d ask that you stick to a similar level of detail that we laid out below.
- IF YOU TWEET: We will be using the hashtag #MentalHealthMatters for Monday’s event and hope that all of you that Tweet will use it to help spread the word. It is fine to use it in any Tweets prior to the conference.
TALKING POINTS: NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MENTAL HEALTH
(Please note the official title of Monday’s event is the National Conference on Mental Health. Feel free to use the messaging below in all of your public communication over the next few days).
- On Monday, June 3rd, President Obama and Vice President Biden will host a White House Mental Health Conference as part of the Administration’s effort to launch a national conversation to increase understanding and awareness about mental health. President Obama will deliver opening remarks and Vice President Biden will deliver closing remarks to conference participants.
- While millions of Americans struggle with mental health problems, those who need help are too often afraid to seek it because of the shame and secrecy associated with mental illness. The conference will bring together people from across the country, including representatives from state and local governments, mental health advocates, educators, health care providers, faith leaders, and individuals who have struggled with mental health problems, to discuss how we can all work together to reduce stigma and help the millions of Americans struggling with mental health problems recognize the importance of reaching out for assistance.
- [Organization] is answering the President’s call to launch a national conversation to increase the understanding and awareness about mental health by [insert your organization’s efforts].