Campaign for Mental Health Recovery

Sponsor Organization: US Department of Health & Human Services, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Campaign Website: whatadifference.samhsa.gov
Volunteer Agency: Grey New York

According to SAMHSA, there were an estimated 9.8 million adults aged 18 or older who experienced serious mental illness in 2008. Among 18-25 year olds, the prevalence of serious mental illness is high, yet this age group shows the lowest rate of help-seeking behaviors. 

Mental health problems (depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc.) are widespread and often misunderstood. While almost three-quarters of young adults (72%) believe a person with mental illness would improve if given treatment and support, only one in five (22%) believes that people are generally caring and sympathetic to people with mental illness.

The opportunity for recovery is more likely in a society of acceptance. This campaign looks to young men and women to serve as the mental health vanguard, motivating a change towards such acceptance and decreasing the negative attitudes that surround mental health problems. The campaign is designed to encourage this group to step up and support their friends who are living with mental health problems by demonstrating the roles they can play in their friend’s recovery. 

This campaign launched in 2006.