In our last millage communication, WCCMH introduced readers to planned anti-stigma campaign efforts that are being led, through a millage-funded contract, by the Washtenaw County Health Department. The first two years of this anti-stigma work will focus on Washtenaw County’s youth, and we are happy to report that the Youth Mental Health Campaign team has been rapidly moving these efforts forward.
Representatives from the Washtenaw County Health Department spent the summer asking residents what mental health means to their communities and what they hoped to see in a campaign. Emma Share , the health department’s Youth Mental Health Campaign outreach intern, reports that the team received feedback from more than 300 community members through community conversations, focus groups, and an online survey.
Read about the Washtenaw County Youth Mental Health Campaign’s outreach efforts--which included youth, adult, and parent conversations in Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Ypsilanti, and Superior Township--in the summary document or full outreach report.
The team also looked at themes and findings from recent My Voice text-based polls--which collect open-ended anonymous responses from Washtenaw County youth--to better understand how mental health stigma is impacting Washtenaw County youth.
Based on research and community conversations, the Washtenaw County Health Department is proposing a countywide Wish You Knew campaign that aims to address the disconnect between youth and adults by promoting regular and open communications about mental health. Campaign elements would include artwork, pocket cards, magnets, video storytelling, and promotional activities. Read more.