PITTSBURGH, PA – March 27, 2019 – The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Pittsburgh chapter today announced its partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Keystone Pennsylvania to promote its CEOs Against Stigma campaign. PRSA will provide pro bono public relations support to the organization through mid-2019. The project is supported by a three-year grant from the Staunton Farm Foundation.

The goal of the CEOs Against Stigma campaign is to break the stigma of mental illness in the workplace. CEOs across western Pennsylvania will pledge to educate themselves and employees about mental illness and how the stigma and silence affect workplace productivity. Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, costing the U.S. economy $210.5 billion per year in absenteeism, reduced productivity, and medical costs.

"The topic of mental illness is something that most modern workplaces are still frightened to broach, and that needs to change," said Ben Butler, APR, 2019 PRSA Pittsburgh Chapter president. "Employees shouldn't be slapped with stigma — they should be given an open and judgment-free platform for getting help. PRSA Pittsburgh is proud to support NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania. We hope our partnership will encourage CEOs across western Pennsylvania to recognize and do something about these issues."

PRSA Pittsburgh's role in the campaign is to create a strategic communication plan, which includes market research, marketing materials, social media, and media relations. A survey was also developed for CEOs to benchmark where leaders can start addressing the issue of mental illness in the workplace. In addition, PRSA will assist with a kickoff breakfast May 7, 2019, at 7 a.m. at the Duquesne Club in downtown Pittsburgh where CEOs will be invited to participate and hear from a panel of speakers, learning how they can make a difference to their employees.

"We're thankful that the PRSA Pittsburgh chapter is lending their public relations expertise to our organization this year," said Christine Michaels, CEO of NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania. "Stigma is one of the main reasons people don't seek treatment, so the more CEOs PRSA can help us reach, the more awareness we can bring to help break the stigma and allow people to get the help they need."

NAMI seeks to raise awareness and provide support and education for individuals and families affected by mental illness. Through different programs, events, and activities across the country, NAMI works to break the stigma on mental illness.

Visit ceos.namikeystonepa.org for more information about the CEOs Against Stigma Campaign.  

 

###