News & Press
Unmasking Mental Illness Campaign Finalist for National Healthcare Award
Contact:
Jamie Dickson, River Edge Communications: 478.803.7707 (office) 478.283.0138 (cell) // jdickson@river-edge.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 18, 2017
Unmasking Mental Illness Campaign Finalist for National Healthcare Award
The awareness campaign features influential Macon-Bibb County Leaders
MACON – The River Edge Behavioral Health awareness campaign, “Unmasking Mental Illness,” is a national finalist for Modern Healthcare’s Campaign of the Year Award. The River Edge campaign features influential Central Georgia leaders: Macon-Bibb Mayor Robert Reichert, Bibb County School Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones, Macon-Bibb Judicial Superior Court Judge Verda M. Colvin, and Macon-Bibb Sheriff David Davis.
The River Edge “Unmasking” campaign is a finalist in the “Integrated Marketing” category. Other finalists include Johnson & Johnson Medical Device Companies and Medela.
Modern’s Healthcare’s IMPACT Awards recognize the best in healthcare advertising, marketing, promotion, and communication across all types of media platforms by providers, insurers, pharmaceutical companies, suppliers, vendors, and advocacy groups.
“Unmasking Mental Illness” was developed by Macon-based communications strategist Jessica Lanier Walden, LLC. Big Hair Productions, also Macon-based, produced the television announcements. The billboards and print ads were designed by Macon’s Burt & Burt. Additional collateral was created by formerly Middle Georgia-based graphic artist, Susie Allen.
“River Edge is thrilled and honored to be a national finalist,” said River Edge CEO Shannon Terrell Gordon, LCSW. “Since one in four Americans will face a mental health challenge at some point in life, the campaign’s tagline – ‘if it’s not you, it’s someone you love,’ – rings true for all Central Georgians. We are grateful to our local leaders who boldly participated in spreading that message and hope our efforts to destigmatize mental illness bring relief and hope to individuals and families facing these challenges. Please remember: treatment is effective, and recovery can be expected.”
The Impact award winner will be announced in Chicago on Nov. 7. More information on Modern Healthcare’s IMPACT Awards can be found at modernhealthcare.com/events/impact-awards.
A campaign companion video will debut at The River Edge Foundation’s annual Unmasking Mental Illness Masquerade Ball and Silent Auction on Oct. 27. For more information about the annual gala, visit river-edge.org/masquerade-ball.cms.
About River Edge Behavioral Health
The full continuum of River Edge Behavioral Health services provide state-of-the-art treatment and support services for more than 13,000 children, youth, families and adults annually, who experience mental illness, addiction, co-occurring disorders or developmental disabilities. River Edge services extend throughout Central Georgia, including Baldwin, Bibb, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Monroe, Peach, Putnam, Twiggs and Wilkinson counties and will expand to Fulton County in 2018. Learn more at River-Edge.org. For help, call 478-803-7700.
About the River Edge Foundation
The River Edge Foundation, an independent, 501(c)3 non-profit organization, raises private funds to help make life better for individuals who experience mental illness, addiction or a developmental disability, especially individuals served and supported through the robust, community-based offerings of River Edge Behavioral Health. The Foundation strives for excellence in fundraising, investing, stewarding contributions and assets, governing the Foundation, as well as forming lasting and mutual beneficial relationships with community partners, constituencies and stakeholders.