Groundbreaking Coalition of Media Companies and Mental Health Experts Unite to Tackle Growing Mental Health Crisis - Seite 3

“Television and film are powerful mediums that can inspire cultural change. CAA is proud to support the Mental Health Storytelling coalition, and the artist community, in its efforts to reshape mental health representation on screen,” said Joel Lubin, CAA Board Member & Co-Head of Motion Pictures

“As we continue to navigate these unprecedented and challenging times, it is important now more than ever to amplify the conversations surrounding mental health, and NBCUniversal is proud to partner alongside these incredible industry and expert voices for this groundbreaking initiative,” said Janine Jones-Clark, Executive Vice President of Inclusion – Talent & Content, Film, TV & Streaming, NBCUniversal. “The Mental Health Media Guide will be an invaluable industry tool as it’s our responsibility as content creators to ensure authentic portrayals of mental health given the impact our narratives and characters can have on audiences.”

“The depiction of mental health and suicide in popular entertainment serves as a valuable opportunity to change the landscape of people’s understanding around these critical topics. A wealth of research related to suicide prevention reveals that the way suicide is portrayed through storytelling can have positive or negative impacts on viewers, especially for those who may already be in a vulnerable state. By providing Safe Storytelling Guidelines and educating content creators, we can enhance their ability to creatively tell whatever stories they want to tell, and to do so safely. What’s more, by portraying everyday characters who proactively care for their mental health, and showing a world in which help is available (whether the characters themselves may realize it or not), entertainment can help create a culture that is smart about mental health,” said Dr. Christine Moutier, chief medical officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

“It is absolutely critical to give storytellers the tools they need to ensure that portrayals of mental health are inclusive, authentic, and safe, and that production teams work in an environment where mental health is valued,” said Dr. Stacy L. Smith, Founder of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. “With the Mental Health Media Guide, the coalition of experts, and the Mental Health Storytelling Summit, creative professionals will have access to information in a new capacity to positively influence the media landscape.”