VA Calls on Reingold Team to Help Overcome Mental Health Stigma

Some of our nation's Veterans do not recognize or admit they may have mental health challenges—and therefore do not seek support or treatment—because they fear the effects of stigma and negative labels associated with mental health issues. Under a new contract with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Reingold is creating a strategic, integrated communications campaign to help Veterans and their families and friends overcome the stigma associated with seeking mental health services, and to increase the number of Veterans who obtain support.

"The primary challenges are to help Veterans connect the signs and symptoms of mental health issues they may be experiencing with treatments that work and to create an environment that encourages help-seeking behavior, allowing Veterans to take that critical first step toward a more fulfilling life," says Reingold principal Jack Benson, who leads our VA project team.

Reingold's team includes three of the nation's leading authorities on overcoming stigma: Patrick Corrigan, principal investigator for the National Consortium on Stigma and Empowerment; David Litts, director of science and policy for the National Suicide Prevention Resource Center; and Linda Langford, associate director of the Higher Education Center for Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Violence Prevention.