Paying Undergrad Mental Health Workers
White House Holds Mental Health Roundtable with Entertainment Industry Leaders to Help Normalize Mental Health Conversations
Leaders and experts from On Our Sleeves, The Jed Foundation, Hollywood Committee, USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, and JWB led discussion tied to World Mental Health Day to help develop impactful mental health storylines in film and series content
WASHINGTON, DC (October 13, 2023) – The On Our Sleeves Movement For Children’s Mental Health, The Jed Foundation (JED), the Hollywood Committee, Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB), and USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative’s Mental Health Storytelling Coalition today held a mental health roundtable at the White House in conjunction with World Mental Health Day, which was earlier this week on Oct. 10. The event brought together leaders from throughout the entertainment industry to meet with expert mental health clinicians, leading advocates, and representatives from the Biden Administration for a discussion focused on reducing stigmas, normalizing the conversation, and raising awareness about mental health through film and series content.
The roundtable served as an important opportunity for mental health experts to share key insights from clinical and expert work with youth and adults that can inform entertainment content, identify priorities in the youth mental health landscape, and provide research and tools writers and industry leaders can draw upon to create stories that have the power to positively impact youth. The discussion also covered the ways in which parents and caregivers can hold conversations with children when there are tragic events unfolding in the news that they may learn about at school or online.
Neera Tanden, Domestic Policy Advisor to President Biden, and Stephen Benjamin Senior Advisor and Director of the Office of Public Engagement joined On Our Sleeves Executive Clinical Director Dr. Ariana Hoet, Chief of Psychology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Dr. Eric Butter, JED Chief Medical Officer Dr. Laura Erickson-Schroth, the American Institutes for Research’s David Osher, JWB Chief Executive Officer Beth Houghton , and the Mental Health Storytelling Initiative’s Ashley Kolaya for a roundtable with entertainment industry leaders including: writer and showrunner David Shore; actor Freddie Highmore; actor and singer Joely Fisher; actor and author Kal Penn; playwright and television producer/creator Katori Hall; actor, comedian, and producer Lisa Ann Walter; actor and director Mädchen Amick; producer Michael Costigan; director and writer Millicent Shelton; writer and producer Shawn Ryan; and writer and author Tracy McMillan.
The roundtable served as an important opportunity for mental health experts to share key insights from clinical and expert work with youth and adults that can inform entertainment content, priorities in the youth mental health landscape, and provide research and tools writers and industry leaders can draw upon to create stories that have the power to positively impact youth.
“For many caregivers, film and series content can provide critical exposure to issues surrounding children’s mental health, helping educate them about what how mental health shows up in children and habits and behaviors they can use to support and promote their mental health,” said Dr. Ariana Hoet, Executive Clinical Director of On Our Sleeves. “We’re so thankful to the White House for hosting this roundtable to help equip the entertainment industry with the information they need to write storylines that accurately portray issues of children’s mental health.”
“Stories have the power to shape the way young people see themselves, their communities, and their futures,” said Dr. Laura Erickson-Schroth, Chief Medical Officer of The Jed Foundation. “We’re proud to be a part of this convening and ongoing campaign, and applaud the White House, The Hollywood Committee, and our partners for prioritizing teen and young adult mental health.”
“The Hollywood Committee is thankful for the Biden Administration’s commitment to mental health and our partners at the roundtable. We are especially grateful to On Our Sleeves for their outstanding support in bringing us all together.” said Robert Disney, with the Hollywood Committee. “We accomplished a great deal. We’re eager to take what we’ve learned and apply it to a sustained campaign that both entertains and encourages audiences to be proactive in their approach to mental health.”
“Eighty percent of a child’s brain is developed by age three, so parents as their children’s first and best teachers play a vital role” said Beth Houghton, CEO of JWB. “Parents’ attentive interactions with their babies and toddlers provide a strong platform for their children’s lifelong learning, development and mental health. JWB is honored to join this important conversation.”
“We know entertainment media and storytelling can have a major impact on the way we perceive mental health, how we talk about it, and our propensity to seek help and help others,” said Ashley Kolaya of the Mental Health Storytelling Coalition. “The organizations and storytellers here today are doing powerful, collaborative work to change the narrative around mental health, and our Coalition is thrilled that the White House is amplifying that work.”
The roundtable was organized by the Hollywood Committee alongside partners On Our Sleeves and The Jed Foundation.
ABOUT ON OUR SLEEVES
Children don’t wear their thoughts on their sleeves. With 1 in 5 children living with a significant mental health concern and half of all lifetime mental health concerns starting by age 14, we need to give them a voice. The On Our Sleeves Movement For Children’s Mental Health, created by Nationwide Children’s Hospital, one of the United States’ largest network of pediatric behavioral health treatment providers and researchers, is on a mission to give expert-created resources to all U.S. communities so everyone can understand and promote mental health for children. Our vision is to build a world where mental health is a part of the upbringing of every single child. Nearly 1,000 mental health professionals and researchers at Nationwide Children’s, in partnership with other trusted experts, provide their real-world knowledge and expertise to power On Our Sleeves. Since the inception of On Our Sleeves in 2018, more than 6 million people in every state across the United States has interacted with the movement’s free pediatric mental health education resources at OnOurSleeves.org.
ABOUT THE JED FOUNDATION (JED)
JED is a leading nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. We’re partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We’re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.
Connect with JED: Email | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | Snapchat | Pinterest
ABOUT THE HOLLYWOOD COMMITTEE
Created and led by TV & film creative professionals, the Hollywood Committee is a nonprofit dedicated to using the power of storytelling to move our nation towards a safer and more just future for all.
ABOUT JWB
For 75 years, the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County (JWB) has been investing in the futures of children to strengthen our community. Governed by an 11-member Board and driven by data, JWB ensures children are ready to learn, ready to succeed, and ready to thrive in homes, schools, and neighborhoods that are healthy and safe. In FY21, JWB and our partners served more than 58,000 children and families through 85 programs with 55 nonprofit agencies. Plus, collective efforts to address childhood hunger, grade-level reading, and preventable child deaths served thousands more. Learn more at: www.jwbpinellas.org/childrens-mental-health
ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH STORYTELLING INITIATIVE
In an unprecedented multi-sector partnership, housed at USC’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, more than 70 leading entertainment industry partners and mental health expert organizations have joined forces to develop and amplify the Mental Health Media Guide, a groundbreaking, comprehensive resource for content creators designed to help expand positive mental health portrayals, with an eye toward increasing diverse, authentic, and nuanced portrayals of mental health in entertainment.
The Link Between Sports Kids’ Mental Health and Mental Game
JED Chief Medical Officer Dr. Laura Erickson-Schroth was interviewed by Lisa Cohn on how kids’ mental game is critical to youth sports–and improving mental health can boost kids’ mental game and performance.
Dr. Erickson-Schroth spoke on the benefits of physical activity, finding a community, how women can excel in sports, and the importance of setting goals. In addition, she shares several JED resources and safe messaging to parents and coaches including the Coaches’ Guide, the JED mental health resource center, and tips on how to break the stigma and discuss mental health with their athletes before a problem arises.
Listen to the conversation on:
Parents say they’re struggling with their own mental health amid a growing youth mental health crisis
Celebrating World Mental Health Day
Stories have the power to change and save lives. They make us feel less alone, connect us to our communities, and inspire us to share our stories. At The Jed Foundation (JED) we share stories so teens and young adults know they’re not alone—no matter what they’re going through. There is support and help available right now.
This World Mental Health Day we invite you to join us, share your stories, connect with friends or family, and start a lifesaving conversation.
Find Inspiration From Stories
- South Korean singer and actor HANI opens up about the consequences of her anxiety, how she creates her own values and standards, and the importance of a strong inner-self and self-love. Watch the teaser and tune in to the first episode from JED and Mindset by DIVE Studios on Oct. 11.
- K-Pop superstar WONWOO of SEVENTEEN opens up about the uncertainties he’s had in his career, as well as how he deals with burnout and supports his fellow band members. Watch the full collection.
- Therapists are trained to be good listeners with good advice. In “Each and Every Day,” from MTV Entertainment Studios and JED, Hannah finds a therapist she clicks with and discovers her own Black girl magic. Watch her story and learn everything you need to know about therapy—from finding it to affording it.
- Gigi Robinson is a Gen Z influencer, model, and mental health advocate, among many other things. Tune in as she shares her philosophy and tips for dealing with haters, trolls, and negative comments, as well as more internal reactions such as social comparison.
Check In With Yourself
- It’s not selfish to take time for yourself. JED’s Mental Health Resource Center can help you with any challenge you are facing, from simply feeling off to wondering if you may be living with a mental health condition and how to get help for all the ups and downs of life.
- Explore Press Pause, an experience from JED and powered by PINK, to find simple ways to protect your mental health and boost your mood. You’ll find guided videos for breath, meditation, movement, affirmation, and more.
- At 10:10 a.m. PT (1:10 pm ET), join JED and our partners for a collective moment of stillness and meditation to celebrate and amplify the power of love. Sign up at stillinlove.org.
Check In With Your Friends and Loved Ones
- Starting a conversation about mental health doesn’t need to be uncomfortable. Let your loved ones know they aren’t alone by reaching out to them. Visit SeizeTheAwkward.org for ways to support a friend, learn the signs, and access resources to get help. Seize The Awkward is an award-winning campaign from the JED and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in collaboration with the Ad Council.
- Want to reach out to a friend, but you’re not sure where to start? Check out these opening lines to make starting the conversation easier and these guides to helping friends with everything from having a hard day to self-harm and thoughts of suicide.
- If you need some words of encouragement, watch our latest PSA featuring Megan Thee Stallion reminding us all that it’s OK to not be OK.
College Student Mental Wellness Advocacy Coalition Launches Second Annual Survey to 800,000 Students; Expands Partnerships with Mental Health Nonprofits
Largest college student questionnaire of its kind to provide benchmarking for 2024 Thriving College Students Index Report
OCTOBER 10, 2023. AUSTIN, TX – The College Student Mental Wellness Advocacy Coalition launches its second annual Thriving College Student Mental Wellness Survey today—on World Mental Health Day— in partnership with the Hi, How Are You Project (HHAYP) and The Jed Foundation (JED).
The largest survey of its kind will be fielded in the U.S. and Canada by world leader in research, Ipsos, to nearly 800,000 students residing in college housing communities. The survey results will be reported in the form of an annual Index in January 2024.
“Thanks to this survey data, we will have the opportunity to continue to learn about various dimensions of student mental wellness including their levels of stress and anxiety, coping mechanisms, future outlook, feelings of connectedness, and more,” said Dr. Sonia Krishna, a board-certified physician specializing in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry and Hi, How Are You Project board member. “We encourage all students who receive the survey to complete it as this actionable data will help us develop mental wellness resources, staff training, and community programming in the ways they are most needed.”
With a second year of data, the Coalition will provide benchmarking for the first time to keep a pulse on student wellbeing as well as measure the impact of the Coalition’s initiatives.
“JED is proud to work alongside fellow Coalition members to continue protecting emotional health and preventing suicide among our nations’s teens and young adults. College students and members of the campus community play critical roles in the collaboration, cultivation, and creation of life-saving cultures of care,” said John MacPhee, CEO, The Jed Foundation. “The Index will assist us in better understanding the unique challenges and conditions that students are now facing, allowing us to develop programs that affect positive change on both an individual and systemic level.”
The Coalition envisions a world where all young adults thrive thanks to the support of their residential communities that are dedicated to promoting and advocating for mental wellness to facilitate personal fulfillment and academic success. In addition to HHAY and JED, it is made up of 24 member companies in the student housing industry including:
- American Campus Communities
- CA Student Living
- Campus Advantage
- Campus Apartments
- Cardinal Group Mgt.
- Core Spaces
- Landmark
- Peak Campus
- Pierce Education Properties
- Preiss
- RPM
- Student Quarters
- The Scion Group
- Greystar
- Michaels Student Living
- Campus Life & Style
- Asset Living
- Caliber Living
- Yugo
- Balfour Beatty
- Dinerstein
- University Partners
- Gilbane Development Company
- GMH Communities
“By uniting as an industry, we know our impact can be so much greater and longer lasting,” said Jonathan Bove, Coalition chair. “We aim to leverage the diverse skill sets and capacities of our member organizations so that students get the resources and programming they need to thrive personally and academically in thei residential communities.”
To learn more about the new College Student Mental Wellness Advocacy Coalition, please visit www.thrivingcollegestudents.org.
About the College Student Mental Wellness Advocacy Coalition
The College Student Mental Wellness Advocacy Coalition is an alliance of the nation’s top student housing providers who advocate for student mental wellness through encouraging open conversations, providing resources, and developing industry-wide peer-to-peer staff training programs, in partnership with mental health non-profits, The Jed Foundation (JED) and Hi, How Are You Project (HHAYP) Since its founding in 2022, the Coalition continues to expand its reach and impact as it envisions a world where all young adults thrive thanks to the support of their residential communities that are dedicated to promoting and advocating for mental wellness to facilitate personal fulfillment and academic success. www.thrivingcollegestudents.org
About the Hi, How Are You Project
The Hi, How Are You Project (HHAYP) is an Austin, TX-based 501c3 nonprofit organization with the mission to remove the stigma around mental health, one conversation at a time. The organization aims to educate people worldwide about the importance of mental health and well-being while promoting a culture of inclusion .www.hihowareyou.org
About The Jed Foundation (JED)
JED is a leading nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. We’re partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We’re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.
Connect with JED: Email | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | Snapchat | Pinterest
Media Contact
Justin Barbo
Director of Public Relations
The Jed Foundation
Justin@jedfoundation.org
914-844-4611
Kappa Kappa Gamma Chapter Raises $9,600 for JED at Clemson University Student Fundraiser
By Lauren Patetta
Thanks to the incredible work and dedication of students, the Clemson University chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma (KKG) raised $9,600 for The Jed Foundation (JED) during its annual First Friday fundraising event this September. Each year, the First Friday competition challenges Clemson sorority sisters to raise the most money for their organization’s philanthropy in just 86 hours. After a week of working to spread awareness and field donations, winners are recognized in a parade during Clemson’s first home game of the football season.
This was KKG’s third year in a row winning the First Friday competition, and all proceeds go to JED, the group’s official philanthropy since 2021.
Meryl Henderson, a third-year student at Clemson and the Philanthropy Director for her KKG chapter, felt encouraged watching her sisters continuously break fundraising barriers for JED. “I really think it shows the power of young women and how passionate they are about an organization that means so much to everyone,” she says.
“Our generation talks about mental health a lot more than past generations,” says Molly Jane Anton, a senior at Clemson who was chosen to represent KKG as this year’s Miss First Friday in the parade. “I think now is such an awesome, pivotal time for us to have picked JED as our philanthropy, because girls aren’t afraid to talk about it.”
“So many girls in Kappa either personally struggle with some aspect of mental health—whether it’s suicide, depression, an eating disorder, OCD, or anything of the sort—or they know someone who went through that,” Anton says. “Because it’s something we all know in our lives at some point, it’s a lot easier for people to gain momentum and want to put their best effort forward for JED.” Thank you to all the students at KKG who contributed to the First Friday event on behalf of JED. If you’re interested in learning more about ways to fundraise for JED, check out the Fundraise for JED web page.
5 tips to help you cover the college mental health crisis
JED Campus Southern Connecticut State University Creates Well-Being Workbook to Support Students
By Lauren Patetta
Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), a JED Campus, recently launched a workbook to help students prioritize their wellness using mental health resources and educational tools. The THRIVE in 5 workbook, designed by SCSU’s Wellbeing Center as part of its JED Campus work, gives students simple, five-minute exercises and reflections focused around six key categories that make up THRIVE: togetherness, health, resilience, insight, vitality, and equity.
“Our goal was to make this a very practical, simple workbook that students can use either independently or as a targeted way to incorporate these topics into the classroom,” says Dr. Nick Pinkerton, psychologist and Associate Dean of Counseling Services and Wellbeing at SCSU. Taking just five minutes at the start of class to use this resource can help jump-start conversations about wellness and encourage students to use these tools beyond the classroom, Dr. Pinkerton says.
Dr. Pinkerton sees the workbook as a critical way to reach more students with meaningful support. “Traditionally, we know that counseling centers may serve 15% to 20% of the population,” he says. But the question is, “What’s happening with that other 80% to 85% of the population? How do we get to them?”
THRIVE in 5 provides one answer: “The focus has really been more and more on the classroom experience,” Dr. Pinkerton says, “thinking about how we can empower faculty members to improve the climate and the culture of care, such that students feel that sense of belonging.”
To learn more:
- View the THRIVE in 5 workbook.
- Find information about JED’s Higher Education programs.
Segregation or Student Support? As colleges scale back DEI efforts, students become “unpaid diversity workers.”
New Seize The Awkward Campaign With Megan The Stallion Appears In National Media Coverage
Features “Check In On Your Friends” public service announcement (PSA) where Megan gets real about mental health and encourages young people to reach out to friends who may be struggling .
Learn more about recent news coverage for this latest campaign from The Jed Foundation (JED) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), in collaboration with the Ad Council and Droga5.
- CBS Mornings: What to Watch: Megan Thee Stallion’s Message
- CNN: Megan Thee Stallion urges people to check on their friends
- Rolling Stone: Megan Thee Stallion Urges ‘Check in On Your Friends’ for Seize the Awkward PSA
- Mashable: Megan Thee Stallion wants you to check in on your friends
- Audacy: Megan Thee Stallion campaigns for more attention to mental health conversations
- Forbes: How Selena Gomez, Megan Thee Stallion, Ryan Reynolds And Other A-Listers Are Marking World Mental Health Day