Hey. Let's Talk: Mental Health Stigma Reduction Creative Intervention Project

Mental Health challenges affect nearly 20% of the US population, and 75% of those report experiencing stigma related to their condition.

Stigma is a form of discrimination – verbal or behavioral – against people with the goal of setting them apart, creating a stereotyped group. In addition to being subject to discrimination, isolation, and stereotypes, prejudice is another negative byproduct those suffering from mental illness face. While mental illness and its stigma affect a broad range of people across demographics, youth are especially at risk.

Half of people who experience a mental health condition develop symptoms by age 14 and three-quarters exhibit symptoms by age 24. Young people report suffering higher levels of stigma than adults, and that lack of support has many implications on their capitalization of opportunities, particularly impacting education, economic, and social opportunities.

In Summer 2018, artist Kate Tepe worked with the Apprentices to co-design the game based on feedback from 60 engagement participants. The game, Hey. Let’s Talk, is an artistically driven, peer lead, social impact project intending to reduce mental health stigma. The game was developed with the hope that it empowers young people to share and advocate for their needs, ultimately reducing stigma and leading to collective mental health and wellness.

In the Fall of 2018, the team played the finalized game with approximately local youth through partnerships with schools and community/arts organizations. Each participant took home a copy of the game to share and play with others.