It’s a mad, mad, mad, mad world, and I don’t mean the classic 1963 screwball comedy. These last few years have upended our lives. Perhaps one silver lining has been an increased awareness of mental health.
Some big names have contributed to this enlightenment. Brands such as Malters, Maybelline, and JanSport are taking the lead, but they're not alone. Celebrities, royals, and world class athletes are sharing their stories in an effort to normalize conversations surrounding mental health by letting us know it’s okay to not be okay.
Only your brand can decide whether or not to share mental health messaging. If messaging is sincerity and authentic, it will resonate. Do it right and you'll do a great service. Do it wrong, however well intentioned, and brace yourself for being judged (not in a good way).
People, both employees and customers, are the heart of any business. With this in mind, the overarching mission for marketers is to establish meaningful connection and build lasting relationships. In doing this, sharing what a brand values is fundamental.
ESPN, for example, is using their platform and considerable reach to highlight the stories of athletes, coaches, and other sports figures who have experienced personal battles with mental health. These stories reflect a broad range of subject and experiences, including new challenges brought on by the pandemic and social distancing. The hope is that these stories help raise awareness, provide information and improve understanding about mental health.
Increasingly, brands are embracing a more purpose-focused approach. Doing it genuinely can support marketing strategies. But where to start?
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Health risks in younger generations, adolescents in particular, is humbling to say the least. From 2001 to 2019, the suicide rate for ages 10-19 jumped 40%, and emergency room visits for self-harm rose 88%. Social media contributes to this, yet it also needs to be part of the solution.
Be clear and direct in communication. How you connect with Gen Z differs from how you connect with Boomers. So just as you would moderate how you speak with a toddler versus your Nana, advertisers are advised to take a moment to think about how best to connect with target audiences. Words matter, and so does context. And, when you’re ready to start sharing wellness information, below are some proven tactics to consider.
Let’s get into OTT a little bit more. More and more people, especially younger generations, prefer to send and receive messaging’s using OTT channels for a variety of reasons, see short list below, and most significantly because it lets the user decide when and where they want to connect. So, including it in mental health messaging seems to make a lot of sense.
And then there’s this: it may sound counterintuitive, but brands can show they care by advocating followers turn off social media for a time. A recent study found that getting off social media for even one week significantly improves a person’s well-being and lowers levels of anxiety and depression.
There’s no absolute In how to message, but there are a few essentials—including making sure messaging is authentic (sorry to be repetitive). Perhaps one more thing to take away: if you want to move the needle in any campaign, it requires a commitment that goes beyond any single month. And if you ever just need a simple escape, streaming It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World may do the trick.
About the Author
@Janine Pollack, MNI Integrated Marketing Director and self-appointed Storyteller in Chief, leads the brands commitment to generating content that informs and inspires. Prior to MNI, Janine worked with Fortune 500 companies and world-renowned education institutions on numerous research and white papers, podcasts and thought-leadership and education campaigns.