FLONYC Applauds Flotus for Helping to Shatter the Stigma Around Mental Illness

March 4, 2015

NEW YORK—Today, First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama announced the Campaign to Change Direction, a national coalition working to raise awareness about mental illness and provide tools to help Americans who may suffer from mental health issues. The First Lady of the United States adds a powerful voice to efforts to shatter the stigma surrounding mental illness and increase access to mental health services, an effort that First Lady of New York City Chirlane McCray is leading here in New York City. In her speech, First Lady Michelle Obama echoes First Lady Chirlane McCray’s call to reframe the approach to mental health care in the United States. 

“Whether an illness affects your heart, your leg or your brain, it’s still an illness, and there should be no distinction,” said the First Lady Michelle Obama this afternoon.

“I am grateful and excited to have First Lady Michelle Obama working to help shatter the stigma around mental health at a national level,” said the First Lady of New York City Chirlane McCray. “Millions of Americans, from all walks of life, are affected by mental illness and she is an extraordinary ally in the fight to combat the crisis of mental health facing our country.”