The Campaign to Change Direction is a collection of concerned citizens, nonprofit leaders, and leaders from the private sector who have come together to create a new story in America about mental health, mental illness, and wellness.
This initiative was inspired by the discussion at the White House National Conference on Mental Health in 2013, which came on the heels of the Newtown, CT tragedy.
By bringing together a diverse group of leaders and organizations, Change Direction plans to spark a movement that:
- Frees us to see our mental health as having equal value to our physical health
- Creates a common language that allows us to recognize the signs of emotional suffering in ourselves and others
- Encourages us to care for our mental well-being and the mental well-being of others
The American Counseling Association made a pledge to deliver Change Direction's education tools (including resources to identify five signs of suffering) to its membership and the public. You can view our pledge here. You can also create your own pledge.
The collective impact of Change Direction is predicted to reach more than 30 million Americans over the next five years with specific efforts to educate:
- Military personnel, veterans, and family members
- Corporate employees
- Federal, state, and local government employees
- First responders
- Students, teachers, school officials, and coaches
- Members of the faith-based community
- Health care professionals
The Campaign to Change Direction’s conclusion: to improve our nation’s overall mental health we must change our culture so that mental health is seen as an important element of the human condition — something that we all have — something that we all should pay attention to.
To join the conversation on social media, use the hashtag: #ChangeMentalHealth