Why does mental health matter?

2. Why does mental health matter? • Mental health is a vital component of our overall health and well-being. • Everything we do to promote good mental health in ourselves and our children contributes to a more healthy, balanced, productive, happy life. • When we or our loved ones are confronted with challenges to our mental health, support is available and treatment is effective.

3. WhySay it out loud? Contact. Engagement. Interaction. Connection. Research has shown that our reluctance to talk openly about the subject of mentalhealth is so strong that it prevents us fromseeking the information and support weneed to promote good mental health, letalone asking for help when we need it.

4. What are the goals of Say it out loud? • To get people talking about the subject of mental health with someone they care about or trust. • To provide valuable information on promoting health and addressing mental health challenges for adults and children. • To build supportfor people with mental health challenges. • To encourage people to reach out if they or someone they know need help.

5. What’s with the t-shirts? • Say it out loud creates both virtual and real contact opportunities to share personal stories. • The campaign is represented by people wearing t-shirts that tell their stories. • Stories appear in advertisements and on posters and other printed materials. • You can wear a t-shirt that says Say it out loud to help create “buzz” around the campaign.

6. What are the messages of Say it out loud? • Talk with someone who seems stressed or down. Let them know you care. • Ask for help from someone you trust if you think you or your child might need it. • Speak to your child’s doctor and teachers about how to encourage social development. • Encourage policy leaders to make children’s and adults’ mental health a priority. • Find out how you can promote good mental health by visiting: • www.mentalhealthillinois.org

7. How can you Say it out loud? • Register on the website:www.mentalhealthillinois.org • Hang posters and hand out multi-cards. • Send a letter to an editor or legislator. • Submit an article to a newsletter. • Spread the campaign’s five core messages. • Call a local newspaper and ask it to run a campaign ad. • Talk with community groups about sponsoring the purchase t-shirts for distribution at events and gatherings.

8. Available for download at www.mentalhealthillinois.org: 8½ x 11-inch fliers Online banners Camera-ready print ads

9. Available for download at www.mentalhealthillinois.org: Campaign Supporter Toolkit • Including talking points, sample Letters to the Editor, newsletter articles, this presentation, and morewww.mentalhealthillinois.org

10. Available via request at www.mentalhealthillinois.org: 11 x 17-inch posters Multi-Cards: combination postcard and palm card

11. Borrow by request at www.mentalhealthillinois.org: Tabletop mini-display

12. Available to purchase at www.mentalhealthillinois.org: Palm cards (front and back shown) T-shirts (English and Spanish)

13. What’s going on in our community? Thank you! www.mentalhealthillinois.org