Coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Month throughout May, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy is launching a new social media campaign and video series designed to raise awareness for mental health and substance abuse challenges and educate the public, while helping people get connected with important programs and resources and ending the stigma surrounding mental health issues. It’s important to understand “we are all in this together” which is the theme of this campaign.

“One of the most devastating impacts COVID has had is on our collective mental health, and we continue on the difficult path of breaking down the stigma of asking for help. Beyond that, as we continue to see reports of how social media can harm the emotional well-being of our young people, it’s critical that we find creative solutions to help those who are struggling,” said County Executive McCoy.

“The theme for the 2022 Mental Health Awareness Month is ‘Together for Mental Health,’ however, we will not reach our goals in one month. So while we’re kicking off this social media campaign now, it will continue throughout the year on a weekly and monthly basis to bring attention to these issues also the programs and services Albany County continues to offer each and every day,” he continued. 

New mental health videos and social media posts will be added to County Executive McCoy’s social media accounts two times each week throughout the month of May, and then once per month thereafter. New content will be added leading up to Suicide Prevention Month during the month of September. We encourage everyone to share these videos.

“If the last two years have shown us anything, it has shown us how resilient we are; though it has also reminded us all just how vulnerable we can be. These are two important truths that are too often overlooked, forgotten or denied. As we begin Mental Health Awareness Month, it is more important than ever for us as leaders to be especially aware of these truths,” said Albany County Department of Mental Health Director Stephen Giordano, PhD.

“On average, one in five individuals will experience a diagnosable mental health condition in a given year. The largest obstacle we face is not funding, but rather it is stigma. That’s why I’m proud to join County Executive McCoy in this initiative to bring greater awareness to the fact that mental health challenges can affect anyone at any given time and we need to see ourselves in the struggles of others,” he continued. 

The first video in the series can be viewed here.

Follow County Executive McCoy on Facebook here, on Twitter here, and on Instagram here to stay up-to-date on his social media campaign and video series.