PITTSBURGH -- "Picture This," a mental health special that was livestreamd on WPXI.com on March 27, helps enrich the opportunities for local story tellers, news providers, journalists and public officials to address mental health-related stories with a high degree of accuracy so that the Pittsburgh audience will gain greater knowledge, correct understandings and eliminate mental health stigma in the community.

The goal of the special is to create greater awareness in the Pittsburgh community to enhance quality of life and ultimately lead to a healthier society by encouraging Pittsburgh residents to seek mental health-related diagnosis and adhere to treatment.

Hosting a community-based Picture This forum at WPXI is a unique opportunity to demonstrate local media commitment to mental health awareness in Pittsburgh.

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But Why Pittsburgh?

• High interest among public sector leaders
• Commitment among community based, private and sector organizations
• Unique diversity with inclusiveness
• Congressman Tim Murphy, a co-chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, has also agreed to be present at the Picture This meeting to encourage community-based mental health priorities and demonstrate support for addressing mental health policy issues affecting his constituents.

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What Is It?

Picture This is an open dialogue comprised of a panel from the media, communication and entertainment fields with a strategically selected audience consisting of stakeholders, health experts, educators, local officials and other key leaders in the Pittsburgh community to discuss and find a consensus that delineates the top three to five concerns when addressing mental health in the Pittsburgh community, and within the Pittsburgh media space.

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Mental Health: Related Issues

-- At Risk Youth

Picture This: At Risk Youth is a guide to the key issues within the realm of at risk children and youth as identified by experts, advocates, policy-makers and others working to improve public awareness about factors that put young people at risk.

-- Bipolar Disorder

Picture This: Bipolar Disorder is a guide to the key issues within the realm of Bipolar Disorder affecting different populations today, as identified by mental health experts, advocates, policy-makers and others working to improve public awareness about and reduce stigma surrounding Bipolar Disorder and other mental Illnesses.

Spotlight On… Bipolar Disorder is a news brief of the Entertainment Industries Council, Inc. for providing accurate information about mental health and Bipolar Disorder to the creative community along with onscreen depiction suggestions.

-- Depression and Suicide Prevention

Picture This: Depression and Suicide Prevention is a guide to the key issues within the realm of depression and suicide prevention as identified by mental health experts, advocates, policy-makers and others working to improve public awareness about and reduce instances of depression and suicide.

To learn more about other related issues in the Picture This approach, Click Here.

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Mental Health: Myth Vs. Fact

Myth:

There’s no hope for people with mental illnesses.

Fact:

There are more treatments, strategies, and community supports than ever before, and even more are on the horizon. People with mental illnesses lead active, productive lives.

Myth:

I can’t do anything for someone with mental health needs.

Fact:

You can do a lot, starting with the way you act and how you speak. You can nurture an environment that builds on people’s strengths and promotes good mental health.

For more Myth Vs. Fact, Click Here.

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Did You Know?

Fact:

Twenty percent of the ailments for which Americans seek a doctor's care are related to anxiety disorders such as panic attacks, that interfere with their ability to live normal lives.

Fact:

Some 8 million to 14 million Americans suffer from depression each year. As many as one in five Americans will suffer at least one episode of major depression during their lifetimes.

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Resources

For a list of resources, Click Here.