Mayor Domenic J. Sarno joined with Public Health Institute of Western MA Senior Director of Programs & Development Sarita Hudson, Springfield Youth Mental Health Coalition (YMHC) Manager Tiffany Rufino, YMHC members, and Beat the Odds youth advisors this Friday for a special event to kick-off a new mental health awareness campaign titled, I Am More Than My Mood.
The launch event took place on Friday, February 24, at the Community Music School of Springfield, Robyn Newhouse Hall.
After recognizing the need to reduce generational stigma around mental health and to spread awareness around the impacts of stress, anxiety and depression, the Youth Mental Health Coalition created an awareness campaign specifically for youth and families in the Greater Springfield area. During the launch event a group of YMHC Youth Advisors named “Beat the Odds” will present the ads and share more about the goals of this mental health awareness campaign.
The I Am More Than My Mood (“More than my mood”, or “#MTMM”) public awareness campaign will run on billboards, social and digital media, and on PVTA bus ads in the greater Springfield region through the summer of 2023. The campaign directs community to www.morethanmymood.org for resources. Youth and families, as well as community organizations, schools, and other entities in Greater Springfield are encouraged to attend the launch event and amplify the campaign. Posters and postcards will be available at the event for free and upon request.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “The Springfield Youth Mental Health Coalition is doing such a phenomenal job in continuing to address the stigma that surrounds mental health, especially when it comes to their work with young people. Stress, anxiety, and depression are issues that we all must face from time to time. It is important that everyone knows that there are resources and places to go that can help us through the toughest times. Remember that it is ok to seek out that help. Your mood, your zip code, or your current circumstances do not define who you are – you do.”
Mayor Sarno continued, “This ‘More Than My Mood’ campaign brought many talented and dedicated people together, and we are grateful for all their hard work and efforts toward strengthening and empowering our youth. Thank you to the Public Health Institute of Western MA for spearheading this effort, and to “Beat the Odds” – the group of incredible young people who advised the coalition along the way – your work will impact youths and families throughout our city and beyond, thank you. I would also like to thank our Superintendent of Schools Daniel Warwick, Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris and their dedicated teams, as well as my Constituent Services Director/Deputy Communications Director Molly Shea, who serves on the YMHC Communications Committee, for such strong support and collaboration on this important initiative.”
The campaign was developed by Axiom Blue in collaboration with youth advisors from Beat the Odds, the YMHC’s youth advisory groups that are convened by Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services and the South End Community Center. The mental health awareness campaign was made possible through funding from The Davis Foundation, Trinity Health of New England, The Whitcomb Foundation, City of Springfield, Women’s Fund of Western MA.
The Springfield Youth Mental Health Coalition (YMHC) is convened by the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, through funding from the Department of Public Health Office of Problem Gambling. The YMHC consists of behavioral health, community, and youth-serving organizations who serve families across Greater Springfield, with representatives from African Diaspora Mental Health Association, Baystate Health, Behavioral Health Network, Davis Foundation, Estoy Aquí, Gándara Center, Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services, New North Citizens Council, Out Now, Public Health Institute of Western MA, Springfield Office of Health and Racial Equity, Springfield Public Schools, Square One, and Tools for Success Counseling, LLC. Other coalition activities include professional development and convening of peer mentoring organizations.
