In tandem with today’s observance of World Mental Health Day (Oct. 10), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is unveiling its Never a Bother campaign in partnership with Grammy Award-winning artist and mental health advocate Megan Thee Stallion. The youth suicide prevention campaign is designed to heighten awareness of suicide prevention tools and resources before, during and after a crisis.
The Never a Bother campaign video finds Megan Thee Stallion talking compassionately about her own mental health journey, the need for transparency in conversations about the subject and the free crisis resources available to youth through the initiative. Her comments were drawn from a recent video interview with Billboard executive director of R&B/hip-hop Gail Mitchell.
“It took me a long time to be comfortable talking about my mental health,” the rapper shares at one point. “Asking for help doesn’t make me weak. Asking for help actually built my strength… going to get the help gave me the tools to be stronger. So I just definitely want to talk to the Hotties and let them know it’s OK to ask for help… Hotties, you are never a bother.” View the video below.
In addition to being posted on Megan’s Instagram and TikTok channels, the video appears on the Never a Bother website and its social media channels as well. The campaign was created with and for California youth with oversight by CDPH’s Office of Suicide Prevention to increase awareness about what’s become a crucial issue. According to data cited by the CDPH, suicide was the second leading cause of death among California youth between the ages of 10-25 from 2018 to 2022. A particular focus of the campaign, notes CDPH, are the “youth populations disproportionately impacted by suicide.”
In tune with Megan’s message, the Never a Bother website also underscores to youths that “you are never a bother. Whether it’s a low point, a crisis or something you can’t exactly put into words, get help for yourself or a friend.” The site also features real stories from young people who have felt overwhelmed by life as well as from the friends who have helped. Resources to share with youth and young people can be downloaded as well from the above-referenced website.
Megan Thee Stallion is as well known for her music as she is for her strong advocacy of mental health. Last year, she filmed a PSA in association with the Seize the Awkward campaign. She also established the Pete and Thomas Foundation, which provides resources for women, children, senior citizens and underserved communities.
The Never a Bother campaign is part of the California Health and Human Services Agency’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI). As stated in the press announcement, this latest campaign “continues the state’s effort to increase awareness of suicide prevention and mental health resources, build life-saving intervention skills and promote help-seeking behavior.”
