Cross-Agency Evaluation of DoD, VA, and HHS Mental Health Public Awareness Campaigns: Analysis of Campaign Scope, Content, and Reach
Abstract
More than 2.7 million service members have deployed to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001 (Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, 2015). Many who return report mental health problems, such as depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and problematic substance use. Without appropriate treatment, these problems can have wide-ranging and negative effects on service members quality of life and their social, emotional, and cognitive functioning and can negatively affect their relationships with family and friends (Denning, Meisnere, and Warner, 2014; Ramch and et al., 2015). One deterrent to seeking appropriate treatment is the prevalence of negative perceptions, often referred to as stigma, surrounding mental illness and treatment (Acosta et al., 2014; Clement et al., 2015; Evans-Lacko et al., 2013). Mental health public awareness campaigns have been used as one strategy to combat stigma and promote treatment-seeking. Evaluations of mental healthfocused public awareness campaigns implemented in both the United States and other countries suggest that such campaigns can reach large audiences; increase mental health knowledge; reduce negative attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions toward those with mental illness; and act as cost-effective strategies for reducing mental illness stigma (Gaebel et al., 2008; Jorm, Christensen, and Griffiths, 2005; Wyllie and Lauder, 2012; Collins et al.,2015; Livingston et al., 2014; Dietrich et al., 2010; Evans-Lacko et al., 2014). In 2015, the Barack Obama administration designated the improvement of mental health outcomes for service members, veterans, and their families as a Cross-Agency Priority Goal (CAP-G).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1096335
Entities
People
- Asa Wilks
- Elizabeth L. Petrun Sayers
- Eunice C Wong
- Ilana Blum
- Jennifer L. Cerully
- Joie D. Acosta
- Lisa S. Meredith
- Mikhail Zaydman
- Nupur Nanda
- Rachel Ross
- Terri Tanielian