Facts

There is a mental health crisis among our country’s youth. Young adolescents (10-14) are experiencing increased rates of mental health challenges, yet many do not receive the help they need.

• More than half of lifetime mental illnesses begins before age 14.
• On average, it takes 10 years from the onset of symptoms to when individuals receive treatment.

The Challenge

Nearly half of teens of color feel persistently sad or hopeless, creating a mental health crisis among our country’s youth. Instead of receiving support, teens remain silent. In Black and Hispanic commutes, stigmas that prevent parents from engaging in mental health conversations with their children run deeper.

Our Solution and Results

Sound It Out uses the power of music to help parents and caregivers have meaningful conversations with their middle schoolers about emotional wellbeing. We partnered with Amazon Music to create “When You Can’t Say It, Play It,” to help Black and Hispanic parents bring mental health discussions into their daily routines by searching for music based on different emotions or feelings. Leveraging Alexa’s communication technology, users can then send this music to one another to spark conversations.

PARTNERSHIP ELEMENTS

• Developed custom video assets: “Muchas Flores” 0:15, 0:30, Long-Form
• Custom website
• Conversation starter pack resource