Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI) and the Ad Council have teamed up for a comprehensive, national campaign designed to create a more open, accepting and proactive society when it comes to mental health.
The multi-year initiative is meant to reach millions of Americans struggling with mental health challenges with messages of empathy and support and connect them with resources. The latest message in the campaign, launched May 30, incorporates players from 11 professional sports leagues in an effort to normalize conversations about mental health.
In response to a national mental health crisis, the Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI) and the Ad Council launched a national campaign in fall 2023 to create a more open, accepting, and proactive society when it comes to mental health.
The campaign offers free mental health resources on LoveYourMindToday.org in English, or ConAmorTuMente.org in Spanish. The campaign is releasing multiple national public service announcements over the next few years. The first campaign, available in English and Spanish, is designed for adult Black men and adult Hispanic men who are overrepresented among people across the nation in need of mental health support and services.
“People of color in our country frequently experience racial battle fatigue: a systemic racism-related repetitive stress injury that is strongly correlated with mental health challenges,” said William A. Smith, PhD, chief executive administrator at HMHI. “We’re proud to launch the ‘Love, Your Mind’ campaign with an initial focus on reaching Black and Latino men, acknowledging their experiences, and offering them the mental health tips and resources to help them thrive in life.”
Watch the two campaign videos in English and Spanish below:
For athletes everywhere, their “ritual” can be a gamechanger — a way to center themselves and elevate their performance on some of the world’s biggest stages. While the ritual itself is as unique and varied as the sports we love, it is, at its core, simply a method to practice mental health mindfulness.
Now, as part of the “Love, Your Mind” public awareness campaign — a long-term partnership between Huntsman Mental Health Institute and the Ad Council — professional athletes from 11 professional sports leagues are encouraging fans to prioritize their own mental health through a new series of public service announcements titled, “The Rituals We Share.”
@hmhi_ At the culmination of #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, we’re proud to partner with leading sports leagues and organizations to encourage fans to prioritize their mental health in and out of the game, all year-round. Discover the resources you need to keep your head in the game at LoveYourMindToday.org/Sports. #LoveYourMind, from @hmhi_, @uofuhealth, @love_yourmind, and @adcouncil ♬ original sound - HuntsmanMentalHealthInstitute
The “Love, Your Mind” campaign is dedicated to encouraging a more open, accepting, and proactive society when it comes to mental health. By coming together to speak on the importance of mental health, the following leagues and organizations have committed to amplifying our message:
- Major League Baseball (MLB)
- Major League Soccer (MLS)
- National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR)
- National Basketball Association (NBA)
- National Football League (NFL)
- National Hockey League (NHL)
- National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
- Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA)
- United States Tennis Association (USTA)
- Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)
- World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
This campaign not only showcases professional athletes but is also backed by mental health experts at Huntsman Mental Health Institute at the University of Utah, including William A. Smith, PhD, chief executive administrator at HMHI; Jason Hunziker, division chief of Adult Psychiatry; and France Davis II.
"We all face pressures – both on and off the court,” says Hunziker, who also serves as a mental health consultant to high school, college, NBA, and Olympic athletes. “Learning to ask for help is a sign of vulnerability, courage, and strength not reserved for professional athletes. We can all be a hero to someone when we foster open conversations about mental health.”
The “Love, Your Mind” PSAs and resources were developed by Huntsman Mental Health Institute and the Ad Council in consultation with a panel of experts. The campaign is also supported by leading mental health organizations including the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, Mental Health America, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Association for Behavioral Healthcare, National Association of Social Workers, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Peg’s Foundation, Steinberg Institute, The Jed Foundation and The Kennedy Forum.
Since its launch, the “Love, Your Mind” campaign has produced 24 specialized public service announcements, highlighting the emotional wellbeing of men of color, rural communities, and children. Collectively, these announcements have garnered more than 2.5 billion impressions. The campaign also features an interactive website that provides valuable resources to those who may need help the most.
You can learn more by visiting hmhi.utah.edu or reading the full University of Utah Health press release. Keep up with the campaign by following us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, LinkedIn.