Panel

How to combat stigma and discrimination in mental health

Friday June 23, 10:45, Stavros Niarchos Hall GNO

Speaker Glenn Close, motivated by her family's journey, co-founded the non-profit organization Bring Change to Mind, which is dedicated to eradicating stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness.  

Close shared the challenges her family faced. She emphasized the need to eliminate societal stigmas by not only accepting but also openly sharing mental health conditions. She recounted a powerful event held at a famous New York train station, where her family wore t-shirts displaying the names of their respective mental health illnesses, aiming to provoke conversations and challenge misconceptions. 

A moving testimonial was shared by a student, April Smith, who found solace through a mental health club established by Bring Change to Mind. April highlighted the transformative impact of sharing her struggles with her friend at college and how this helped her get through a difficult year and underlined that there is nothing to be ashamed of because at the end of the day we are all struggling with something, and we all deserve to share and fight it.

Close and her organization work diligently to educate young people about the significance of accepting and addressing mental health concerns. Through awareness campaigns, educational programs, and advocacy efforts, they aim to challenge long-standing societal attitudes and foster a more inclusive and compassionate society.