Sinclair Broadcast Group, in partnership with The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), launched Sinclair Cares: Mental Health Support + Hope, a campaign to encourage mental health awareness, with a focus on young adults.  The campaign began on March 6 and runs throughout the month.

NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness through advocacy, education, support and public awareness.

“I am so encouraged at the life changing and maybe even lifesaving potential that Sinclair Cares mental health support can have,” says Ardis Gonzalez Leon, Sinclair’s director of corporate marketing and promotion.  “It’s companywide because mental health is something that effects every single person no matter where you live.”

Sinclair Cares: Mental Health Support + Hope is supported through public service campaigns across Sinclair’s television stations and the Tennis Channel network.

The National Desk and Sinclair’s local content centers, in partnership with NAMI, are producing content to air within stations’ newscasts, while helping to connect viewers with local NAMI affiliates for resources and information.

“We have connected with NAMI and our call to action with these spots and these stories that we are running is to find the local NAMI near you,” Gonzalez Leon says. “What is great about NAMI is that they have 600 affiliates all across the country and it all matches up with our footprint which is fantastic.”

 “A recent study conducted by NAMI found 1 in 4 teens have been diagnosed with a mental health condition,” says Rob Weisbord, Sinclair’s president. “Our hope is by opening the dialogue around mental health, we can challenge assumptions and eradicate the stigma of seeking help, potentially saving lives.”

“It’s our responsibility as broadcasters to really shine a light on the issues that are facing our viewers and our communities and us,” Gonzalez Leon says. “What’s great about Sinclair Cares is that we come collectively as a company and we identify this issue that is impacting everyone that is struggling with mental health. “We are able to really amplify that awareness for mental health through our executive leadership which is incredibly supportive of these Sinclair Cares campaigns and especially this one with mental health.”

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