ST. LOUIS - Missouriar -- Through a $121,798, two-year, Think Big for Kids grant from YouthBridge Community Foundation, Story Stitchers is creating Story Circles, podcasts, and public service announcements (PSAs) to help change the stigma around mental health.

Read the YouthBridge newsletter article to learn more about Think Big for Kids: https://youthbridge.org/think-big-for-kids-gran...

Perception Isn't Always Reality: Mental Health will reduce stigma of mental health care among Black youth in St. Louis City and County through the creation and dissemination of a public service announcement (PSA) campaign. The 24-month project will be led by 10 Black youth (ages 16-24) and 10 adult artist-mentors of color working in collaboration with health experts; community residents; and marketing, media, and communication professionals.

Since October 2023, ten young artists, (ages 16-24) and six adult mentors have been working on the project to conduct research, develop music, and writing to be utilized in the production of the final public service announcement products with SPOT Content Studio, noted Anna Schmidt leading the SPOT team.

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The resulting fact-based, peer-to-peer messaging will reach a wide audience through billboards and public transportation ads in North St. Louis City and County and social media and radio ads through the greater region. Youth are viewed as trusted messengers, driving regional change in knowledge and attitudes on mental illness and accessing mental health care. The campaign is scheduled to be most active through the winter holidays.

Campaign: Perception Isn't Always Reality: Mental health
Project Leaders, Story Stitchers staff members: Branden Lewis, Emeara Burns, Chris Pendleton
Call to Action: Start talking. Start healing. Mental Health Matters
Homepage: https://storystitchers.org
Project page: https://storystitchers.org/perception-isnt-always-reality-mental-health/
Youth program: Teens and young adults ages 16-25 and living in the St. Louis region are encouraged to apply to join the Stitchers Youth Council!

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Youth Application: https://storystitchers.wufoo.com/forms/zeinv521...
Campaign Dates and Locations: November 18, 2024 - January 12, 2025

Podcast
StitchCast Studio Special Edition: Perception Isn't Always Reality: Mental Health III
Publishing Date:  Dec 16th & 17th (2 parts)
StitchCast Studio Special Edition: Perception Isn't Always Reality: Mental Health IV
Publishing Date: ​​Dec 18th & 19th (2 parts)
Location: All major podcast platforms

Story Stitchers creative youth development programs are supported in part by The Lewis Prize for Music's 2021 Accelerator Award. The mission of The Lewis Prize is to partner with leaders who create positive change by investing in young people through music.

Saint Louis Story Stitchers' studio, The Center, is supported in part by Kranzberg Arts Foundation, where Story Stitchers is a proud resident organization.