New York City Launches $2 Million Mental Health Ad Campaign
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York City has launched a $2 million advertising campaign meant to get people thinking and talking about mental health problems.
City first lady Chirlane McCray unveiled the television, print, online and subway and bus ads Monday. They feature people talking about their experiences with bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety and addiction.
McCray says the campaign aims to "change the mindset around the mind'' by showing that mental illness isn't shameful and recovery is possible. She's spearheading a broad city effort to expand access to mental health care and change attitudes about it.
The city Health Department is paying for the ads, which will appear through June 30. They were produced by DCF, a firm that has done public service ads for the city on health and other subjects.
McCray has previously spoken out on the issue, saying intervention is needed for those with mental health problems.
"We didn't get into this situation overnight, so we're not going to get out of it overnight," she said.
McCray announced the selection of 14 community-based organizations to expand mental health services to some 40,000 New Yorkers over the next five years.
She said it will go a long way to make the streets safer.
"If we can prevent mental illness from spiraling into more serious mental illness, it's going to have a huge effect on public safety," McCray said.
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