Bring Change to Mind is a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging dialogue about mental health, and to raising awareness, understanding, and empathy.
Actress & activist Glenn Close co-founded Bring Change to Mind in 2010 after her sister, Jessie Close, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and her nephew, Calen Pick, with schizoaffective disorder.
Every individual who speaks out inspires another. And another. That’s how we’ll end the stigma around mental illness. That’s how we’ll Bring Change to Mind…
Get The Facts
One of the best ways you can help someone with mental illness is by understanding what it is – and what it isn’t. After all, myths about mental illnesses contribute to stigma, which in turn prevents those who are living with one from seeking help.
Bring Change to Mind – Guiding Principles and Beliefs
- Start the Conversation – Opening a dialogue about mental illness builds the awareness, understanding, and empathy necessary to inspire the action, structural change, and the creation of new norms which end stigma and discrimination.
- Amplify Voices – Our role is to give a voice to others, as their experiences and stories can transform feelings of isolation and despair into feelings of community and hope. These stories will open hearts and minds and change fear and stigma toward people living with mental illness into compassion and support for their journey ahead.
- Be an Ally – We are a trusted ally in the conversation about mental illness and openly collaborate with other mental health professionals, academics, resources and advocates to grow this consequential movement.
- Empower the Future – The foundation of broad awareness will be built by deeply engaged change agents, such as young people touched by mental illness and motivated to improve the lives of others.
- Support Science – Science and evidence-based action is essential to achieving our mission. Therefore, we ground our work in the latest research, which we evaluate for effectiveness then share with confidence.
- Fight for Human Rights – Our work is about saving lives, reducing suffering, and ensuring that people living with a mental illness are able to pursue their human potential with dignity, full civil rights, appropriate healthcare, and unbridled access to life’s opportunities.
Choose Your Words (It is Important)
- When we say someone is “crazy” or “that’s totally mental” we’re perpetuating stereotypes.
- Eliminate the phrase “suffers from mental illness”. Instead, choose, “lives with mental illness” or “is affected by mental illness”.
- When we say a person is “schizophrenic,” we make their mental illness fully define their complete identity. Instead, be clear that this is a disease that individuals manage and live with, e.g. “he is living with schizophrenia”.
- There are many phrases and terms; “crazy,” “nuts”, “psycho”, “schiz”, “retard” and “lunatic” that may seem insignificant, but really aren’t.
While there may be times when it is too challenging or simply not possible to politely correct someone else’s insensitive use of language, you can always watch your own.
The very first time I saw this video I was in the psychiatric hospital and a Recreational Health Professional wanted me to see this powerful video and showed me it. For some reason, this video touched me and impacted me in a very strong and positive way and brought tears to my eyes, happy emotion filled tears. At that fragile, vulnerable, sorrowful period in my life, it made me feel like I wasn’t alone and that maybe, just may people really do care. There was hope. There is hope…
In August of 2009, Grand Central Station became the setting for a massive production, Bring Change 2 Mind’s first Public Service Announcement. Hundreds of principals and extras proudly wore their BC2M t-shirts and started the mental health conversation in the midst of this massive transportation hub. Ron Howard lent his extraordinary talent in directing the spot, and John Mayer donated his song, “Say” as the musical backdrop.
“Grand Central Terminal: 60” Video
Visit http://www.BringChange2Mind.org for more information on how you can help combat the stigma around mental health.
Start the Conversation within your own community…
Bring Change 2 Mind (BC2M) launches its second national anti-stigma campaign, Schizo, in May 2013. Featuring the Co-Founder of BC2M Glenn Close, her sister Jessie and her nephew Calen, the PSA has been shown in scientific survey’s to reduce stigmatizing attitudes towards those living with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
“Schizo” Video
“Change and The Close Sisters” Video (Glen Close and Jessie Close)
For more information on Bring Change 2 Mind and its mission to end stigma and discrimination, please visit, bringchange2mind.org and join our community http://www.facebook.com/BringChange2Mind.
“Ending the Stigma of Mental Illness Video”
“#Stronger Than Stigma: 30” Video – Brandon Marshall NFL All-Pro Wide Receiver Speaking About “Mental Illness and Men”
Glen Close Introduces Bring Change 2 Mind’s New Website and Logo
Bring Change to Mind – Let’s Talk Mental Health
I will be posting something important about mental illness every day throughout the month of May on my blog in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month.
Please keep visiting my blog My Loud Bipolar Whispers and look for statistics or other beneficial information related to mental illness to increase awareness, educate, reduce mental illness stigma and reduce suicides. It is crucial and imperative for all of us to get involved and save lives.
So, please visit my blog every day, but especially every day throughout the month of May.
Thank you. Hugs and blessings to all of you always and forever.
My Loud Whispers of Hope 