World Champion Aly Raisman to keynote at MTV Entertainment’s “Better Together Mental Health Storytelling Series”
October 6, 2021 – 3 min read
By AFSP
Series kicks off Thursday, October 7th in recognition of World Mental Health Day and part of MTV Entertainment’s groundbreaking initiative and media coalition to expand proper mental health representation
Chris Sullivan, Felix Mallard, Karamo, Lang Fisher and Phakiso “Kiki” Collins will discuss the power of storytelling in entertainment during uncertain times
Register to attend at bettertogetherseries.org/register
*Hi-res assets here
NEW YORK – On the heels of its groundbreaking Mental Health is Health initiative, MTV Entertainment (MTVE) Group announced today that World Champion gymnast Aly Raisman will be the keynote speaker at the “Better Together Mental Health Storytelling Series,” kicking off on Thursday, October 7th at 1:00 p.m. EST with “A Conversation about the Power of Storytelling in Uncertain Times,” in recognition of World Mental Health Day. Registration is now open at bettertogetherseries.org/register.
During the one-hour interactive virtual event, MTVE will host a keynote conversation between Aly Raisman and MTV host Nessa that will focus on Raisman’s experience with her mental health and the importance of wellness and getting support. A panel discussion will follow the keynote, featuring actors Chris Sullivan (This is Us) and Felix Mallard (Ginny & Georgia), host and activist Karamo (Queer Eye) as well as trailblazing showrunners and executive producers Lang Fisher (Co-creator, Never Have I Ever) and Phakiso “Kiki” Collins (Love & Hip Hop, Black Ink Crew). All are playing a critical role in empowering others through authentic and impactful mental health storytelling.
The event is intended to drive continued engagement with the Mental Health Media Guide: a first-of-its-kind comprehensive resource for content creators designed to elevate storytelling opportunities that can change the narrative on mental health. Two leading mental health experts will participate in a roundtable discussion that will bring many of the key recommendations in the Guide to life – Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble, Founder of the AAKOMA Project, which supports youth of color and their mental health, and lead collaborator with The Mental Wealth Alliance founded by Charlamagne tha God and Dr. Christine Yu Moutier, Chief Medical Officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
“The dramatic rise of mental health issues has become a second pandemic and, as storytellers, we have the power and opportunity to help people understand the issues better so that they can help themselves and others,” said Chris McCarthy, President and CEO, MTV Entertainment Group. “This is why we are excited to convene world class talent, athletes and our partners across the Mental Health Storytelling Coalition to provide the tools necessary to enable accurate and nuanced representations so that together we can make a difference.”
Following the event, videos will be available to view on-demand on the Storytelling Series microsite, with select clips also available on the Mental Health Media Guide website, and on select MTVE social platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
As a leader on expanding mental health representation, MTVE brought together an extraordinary coalition of entertainment media companies and mental health experts for the first-ever Better Together Mental Health Storytelling Summit in May 2021 featuring insightful and powerful conversations with top creators and talent from Oprah Winfrey and Trevor Noah to Lisa Ling and H.E.R.
The Industry Advisory Council includes: Amazon Studios, Anonymous Content, AwesomenessTV, BET, CAA Foundation, CBS, CMT, Comedy Central, Endeavor Content, Lemonada Media, MTV, NBCUniversal, Nickelodeon, OWN: The Oprah Network, Paramount Pictures, SHOWTIME®, Spotify, Sony Pictures Entertainment, STARZ, The Ad Council, The Walt Disney Company, UTA Foundation, ViacomCBS, VH1 and WarnerMedia.
The Expert Advisory Council includes: Active Minds, Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, Born This Way Foundation, Child Mind Institute, Center for Scholars and Storytellers, Drawn from Valor, Entertainment Industries Council, Geek Wellness Education, Hollywood, Health and Society, National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Mental Wealth Alliance, Mindshare Partners, On Our Sleeves, RespectAbility, SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education), The Boris L. Henson Foundation, The Jed Foundation, The Trevor Project, Vibrant Emotional Health (administers of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline), Well Being Trust, Dr. Jessi Gold, Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, and Dr. Michael A. Lindsey.
About MTV Entertainment Group
MTV Entertainment Group reaches over 1.4 billion young people around the world across streaming, social and linear platforms in 180 countries and with more than 725 million social followers – making it one of the preeminent youth media companies in the world. Connecting with its audiences through nine iconic brands including MTV, Comedy Central, VH1, CMT, Pop, Logo, Smithsonian, Paramount Net and TV Land, MTV Entertainment Studios produces award-winning series, movies and documentary films.
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