News & Events

Let the world know your organization is a safe, welcoming and positive space for people affected by mental illness, substance use disorders or disabilities!

We have everything you need to designate your business, school, faith organization, municipality, nonprofit, service or group as a #LookBeyond Stigma-Free Zone.

All it takes is a commitment to live out the #LookBeyond Pledge:

• Listen to people who live with mental health, substance use and/or developmental challenges, to gain understanding.

• Educate yourself about these challenges by using community resources (like taking Mental Health First Aid Training).

• Treat every person as a valuable member of our community.

• Speak Up for fair and respectful treatment of all people.

• Get Others Involved with the #Look Beyond campaign.

• Optimize your own wellness

(Yes, that spells out “Let’s Go.” Makes it easy to remember your promise!)

Here’s the process:

1) LEARN ABOUT BEING STIGMA-FREE

We’d be thrilled to offer a short on-site presentation to your group to explain what the #LookBeyond campaign is all about. We can do it in as little as 15 minutes and combine it with your recognition (see #3 below). If a presentation isn’t possible, use this website, LookBeyondStigma.org, to find out about our campaign, view our video and browse the resources about reducing stigma.

2) TAKE THE PLEDGE

Encourage everyone in your organization to take the online pledge to #BeStigmaFree. (We can also bring pledge cards to your site, if that’s easier.) Pledging is really simple: All we ask for is your first name and your email address! You’ll be signed up to receive our occasional newsletter with news about the campaign and tips for staying stigma-free. (And we won’t share any of your info.)

3) BE RECOGNIZED!

The #LookBeyond team is happy to stop by your site to honor your organization! Just call us at (269) 364-6925 or email hello@lookbeyondstigma.org to arrange a date/time. We’ll provide you with a Stigma-Free Zone award plaque, window-cling decals, yard signs and t-shirts, plus everyone will get a tote bag with magnets, bookmarks, pens, t-shirts and more – FREE – so you can proudly display your commitment to welcoming and respecting all individuals.

PLUS: We’ll take a group photo, including a “We Pledged!” banner and one or both of our owl mascots, Opal and Oswald. Then we’ll give you a shoutout on Facebook and issue a news release to local media announcing your designation as a Stigma-Free Zone!

Our visit onsite to present the award and take the photo only takes about 20-30 minutes, and we’ll come at a time that’s convenient for you. If you’d like, we can give a brief presentation about #LookBeyond before the photo, too. We take care of everything. All you need to do is be there, hopefully with as many staff as possible – ready to smile!

4) CONSIDER TAKING OUR FREE MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING

We’re proud to offer comprehensive, evidence-based training to anyone in the community who wants to learn how to provide assistance to someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an eight-hour course that introduces risk factors and common warning signs exhibited by someone who may be experiencing mental health problems. We offer ongoing classes that are open to the public AND our trainers can go directly to your organization! Go to the MHFA section on our Resources page for details. Visit our MHFA page on Eventbrite to register for current classes open to the public. To request MHFA training at your organization, contact Julie Helmer at jhelmer@kazoocmh.org or 269-364-6950.

5) KEEP UP WITH THE CAMPAIGN AND LIVE OUT YOUR PLEDGE

We’ll send you our online newsletter featuring tips and reminders for staying Stigma-Free, campaign updates and events. And we welcome YOUR suggestions and stories about what it means to #BeStigmaFree as an organization.

6) SPREAD THE WORD

Encourage other organizations you interact with to become Stigma-Free Zones, too! Suppliers, community partners, customers – everyone is welcome to join the movement!

We’re ready when you are!

We’re recognizing new organizations as Stigma-Free Zones all the time! Join the movement!

Questions? Contact us at hello@lookbeyondstigma.org.