New State Campaign Encourges Good Mental Health

(Chicago, IL) — With data suggesting that one in five Illinois residents is experiencing a mental health challenge at any one time, a new public education campaign has been launched to promote good mental health.

The new statewide “Say it Out Loud” campaign is jointly sponsored by the State of Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health, and the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership, a network of more than 30 organizations across the state.

The campaign was unveiled on May 1 at a rally on Chicago’s Navy Pier as the state began its annual observance of Mental Health Awareness Month.

Data shows 70-90 percent of mental health diagnoses are treatable, but that fewer than half of the people actually seek treatment.

The campaign is using the stories of real people in advertisements being distributed to newspapers and radio stations in the state, and through videos featured on the campaign’s new Web site, http://www.mentalhealthillinois.org.