Newswise — The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and The Advertising Council today announced that Francesca Pileggi of Glen Mills, Pennsylvania has been selected as the grand prize winner of the What a Difference a Friend Makes contest for her “Always Be There” submission. The contest was conducted to encourage, educate and inspire young adults (18-25 years old) to step up and support friends and family they know are experiencing a mental health problem and is an extension of the SAMHSA and Ad Council public service advertising (PSA) Campaign for Mental Health Recovery called “What a Difference a Friend Makes.” According to a national survey by SAMHSA there are an estimated 9.8 million adults aged 18 or older living with serious mental illness. Among adults, the prevalence of serious mental illness is highest in the 18 to 25 age group, yet this age group is also the least likely to receive services or counseling for mental health issues. SAMHSA and the Ad Council conducted the contest from July 21 to August 31, 2010. To enter the contest, applicants uploaded either a video or an essay demonstrating the importance of peer support and acceptance in a friend’s recovery from a mental health problem or through a particularly tough time in one of their friend's lives to the contest site. A panel of judges from SAMHSA, Vanguard and the Ad Council scored each submission based on the following criteria; appropriateness to theme, creativity and originality and entertainment value. “This contest and the Voice Awards broaden public understanding of mental health, and the promise of treatment, at a critical time for our nation,” said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “By reaching out to the millions of Americans affected by mental illnesses with messages of healing and hope, we can save lives.”
“Ms. Pileggi’s video submission is a perfect representation of what the Campaign for Mental Health Recovery seeks to accomplish” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. “This contest helped draw national attention to the fact that behavioral health is essential to overall health and that recovery from a mental health problem is real and possible for anyone.” As the video grand prize winner, Francesca Pileggi and a guest will be flown to Los Angeles to attend the 2010 Voice Awards in Hollywood, CA in October 13th, where their video will be showcased. The runners up of the video contest, Jonathan Ehinger for “Supreme Teens” and Diane McDaniel for “Friendship: Hope for Mental Illness,” as well as the essay contest winners, Susan Putnins for “A Promise” and John Rundle for “Norma,” will each receive their own Flip MinoHD™ video camera. Be sure to check out the winning submissions at http://www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov/contest. “This contest is a wonderful way to engage young adults throughout the country in our message of supporting those living with mental health problems,” said Peggy Conlon, president & CEO of the Ad Council. The Voice Awards honor writers and producers who have given a voice to people with behavioral health problems by incorporating dignified, respectful, and accurate portrayals of these individuals into film and television productions. The event, sponsored by SAMHSA, also celebrates consumer advocates who work tirelessly to promote the social inclusion of people with behavioral health problems and the real possibility of recovery. For more information, please visit www.voiceawards.samhsa.gov.
Since December 2006 the Campaign for Mental Health Recovery has received more than $84 million in donated media across television, radio, outdoor, print and digital. For more information visit the campaign website, www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov. SAMHSASAMHSA is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities. (www.samhsa.gov)
The Advertising CouncilThe Ad Council is a non-profit organization with a rich history of marshalling volunteer talent from the advertising and media industries to deliver critical messages to the American public. Having produced literally thousands of PSA campaigns addressing the most pressing social issues of the day, the Ad Council has effected, and continues to effect, tremendous positive change by raising awareness, inspiring action, and saving lives. To learn more about the Ad Council and its campaigns, visit www.adcouncil.org .
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