Dr Monica Taylor-Desir Discusses the APA Mental Health Care Works Campaign

The American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF) recently launched a Mental Health Care Works campaign aiming to help people prioritize their mental health as much as their physical health, according to APAF Board Secretary Monica Taylor-Desir, MD, MPH, DFAPA, cochair, department diversity leader, Division of Outpatient Consultation, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic.

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Can you discuss the main goals of the Mental Health Care Works Campaign launched by the American Psychiatric Association Foundation?

The Mental Health Care Works campaign is a comprehensive initiative that raises awareness around the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions. Our campaign is to showcase the efficacy of seeking help, and this is inspired by real stories.

We're really trying to encourage individuals who may be struggling to start conversations and to take actions that will impact their mental health. The whole campaign is really a shift in the conversation on mental health to ensure that people prioritize their mental health just as much as they're prioritizing their physical well being.

Our goals of the campaign are, one, to increase awareness about mental health conditions and the benefits of prioritizing one’s mental health and seeking help. Also, another goal is to encourage those who may be struggling to take that first step and contact their health care providers and just really to start that conversation about mental health and how to address it.