Source: Department of Veterans Affairs
Published: Tuesday 15 November, 2011
The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched Make the Connection—a national public awareness campaign based on powerful personal video testimonials—true stories of Veterans who faced mental health issues; reached out for support; and found ways to overcome their challenges. Watch hundreds of Veteran videos and learn more at www.MakeTheConnection.net/stories-of-connection.
This is an example of a “contact” approach to reducing stigma that was developed after extensive audience research. The campaign seeks to make it easy for Veterans to “make the connection” between what they are experiencing and the kinds of resources and services that can help them get on a better track. It does this by providing information, but much more importantly, it allows Veterans to “contact” others who have made “the Connection,” sought services/treatment, and found an improved quality of life. It avoids language about diagnoses, illness, and treatment in so that a Veteran does not have to label him/herself as being sick in order to get on a path toward improved function and wellness.