Turning pain into purpose: How the Close sisters are fighting against mental health stigma

Bring Change to Mind (BC2M) was founded in response to the personal struggles actress Glenn Close faced within her family when her sister Jessie battled severe mental illness. Understanding that stigma often prevents individuals from seeking help, BC2M was established to combat discrimination and raise awareness about mental health. Despite affecting one in four people, many do not reach out for support due to fear of judgment. By normalizing conversations around mental health, BC2M fosters an environment where individuals feel empowered to share their experiences and seek the help they need.

BC2M’s initiatives focus on three main areas: national advocacy, peer-led support, and storytelling. The national advocacy campaigns raise public awareness by leveraging powerful media tools, including public service announcements (PSAs) that feature both everyday individuals and well-known public figures discussing mental health openly. These campaigns have had a broad impact, with BC2M’s PSAs reaching over 6 billion views, sparking dialogue and increasing awareness nationwide.

Another key initiative is the BC2M High School Program, which now operates in over 180 schools across the U.S. This peer-led program empowers students to create mental health clubs where they can openly discuss their experiences and concerns in a supportive environment. By offering workshops, activities, and peer-to-peer conversations, the clubs help normalize mental health discussions among young people, providing them with a safe space to share and access resources. This initiative plays a crucial role in reaching teens, a demographic particularly vulnerable to mental health challenges.

BC2M’s storytelling initiatives encourage individuals to share their personal stories of living with mental illness. These narratives are used to humanize mental health issues, reducing fear and misunderstanding by putting a face to mental illness and showing the strength and resilience of those affected. The organization also collaborates with mental health experts to ensure the accuracy and efficacy of the resources it provides, thereby fostering both awareness and practical support within communities.

For more information:
https://www.bringchange2mind.org/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVrD7W_233w