Nonprofit, State Of Michigan Tackle Stigma Of Mental Health

LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- A nonprofit has partnered with the state of Michigan to air a series of documentaries and public service announcements in an effort to raise awareness about mental health issues.

Andrea Cole, executive director of the Detroit-based Ethel & James Flinn Foundation, tells the Lansing State Journal that the "Opening Minds, Ending Stigma" campaign aims to show that behavioral health treatment is a normal part of health care.

The first spots aired on TV and online in May, Mental Health Month. Another round of TV spots will launch in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Flint, Lansing and Saginaw for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September.

Cole said the organization is focusing on educating the public about mental health because there is a lot of misinformation and misperceptions that are affecting people's ability to receive care.