For Mental Health Awareness Month, we promise to silence the shame

Today is the national day of silence, shame. Mental health has increasingly become a focus of concern and action within our society. Across the country, there is a growing recognition of the importance of mental well-being, alongside the traditional emphasis on physical health.

Shanti Das, founder of Silence the Shame, a leading mental health advocacy organization, has taken mental health issues to the next level by focusing on solutions for the entertainment industry and the black community. Recently, it announced its partnership with Microsoft. The partners are about to launch an app dedicated to mental health awareness, education and support.

NSSD provides an opportunity to continue the conversation about mental health and wellness and erase the stigma associated with mental illness. This day is important for Das. It created a safe space for celebrities to share their stories of challenges and triumphs.

All corporations, I believe, are driven by the intent to be productive, and sometimes by any means necessary, says Freeman Warren, founder of Free The Vision. When we say the affirmation by any means necessary, it initially comes from an intention to fight for your life. Silence the Shame is exactly that. Silence the Shame offers a space of vulnerability. It offers a space of authenticity and honesty about what they were fighting to win. But you know, in the words of Lauryn Hill, how can you win if you’re not okay?

Nearly 1 in 5 adults, which is more than 18% of adults in the US, experiences a mental illness in a given year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. In addition, more than 450 million people worldwide live with mental health problems. Initiatives to expand access to mental health services, reduce stigma, and integrate mental health education across sectors underscore the commitment to addressing these issues.

How it started

Das interned at Capitol Records while in college. Even after graduating, he did another internship at Sony Music before landing a position at LaFace Records. The first tour that catapulted his career in the music industry was working with Toni Braxton. From promotions to marketing, he worked and toured with artists including TLC until the label was sold in 2010.

From Artista to Columbia Records, the music executive climbed the corporate ladder, helping to launch the careers of many artists, including Vivian Green. He even worked in marketing for Princes musicology project

Das served as executive vice president of marketing at Universal Motown before leaving her half-billion-dollar office position in early 2010. After nearly 20 years in one industry, she knew it was time to step away when he began to experience physical and mental challenges. .

The moment that changed everything

While boarding a plane for a vacation in 2014, her cell phone rang from her best friend, who was dealing with significant physical health issues. Although Das was unable to speak to her at the time, she referred her friend to her sister. After a 12-hour flight, her voicemail revealed that her best friend had committed suicide.

That put me on a downward spiral, shares Das. I blamed myself, although now I know you can’t blame yourself when things like this happen. But of course I wasn’t equipped with a lot of the knowledge I’m working with now in mental health. It was really hard for me and again, I was still very much functioning, but really torn up inside.

That incident brought back emotions from when her father committed suicide when she was a child. In 2015, Das came close to taking his own life; he just wanted the pain to go away. A friend encouraged her to call the suicide prevention service. He booked an appointment with a black psychiatrist and turned a negative situation into a positive one.

Silence The Shame

The more Das talked about her situation, the more she realized that the black community needed a safe space to discuss their issues. The movement started with 10 black women and a few discussion boards. She received her first grant from Jack and Jill of America, which enabled a seven-city teen mental health tour.

Since then, the non-profit organization has developed partnerships with Jack and Jill, the NFL Players Association, Sony Music Publishing, a college campus ambassador program and the most recent partnership with Microsoft. Silence the Shame offers corporations interactive workshops on mental health issues.

NSSD was created through all of this to provide a platform for others to talk about mental health. Silence the Shame is part of the Mental Health Coalition, which is a coalition fashion designer Kenneth Cole started to push the narrative and create healthier communities.

Celebrities including Keri Hilson, DJ Drama, NBA player Trey Young and Chloe Bailey supported Das’ initiative. Today’s awareness is helping to eliminate stigma and reduce suicide rates.

Jon Platt, president and CEO of Sony Music Publishing, comments that Shanti has broadened the conversation about mental health in the music business and played a role in reducing stigma. She and her team have developed an achievable starting point toward the well-being of composers, artists, employees, and the larger music community.

The tip to change the narrative

• Be honest with yourself about whether you need to talk to someone. Trust someone who can point you in the right direction for professional help.
• Take the initiative for change. You don’t have to suffer anymore. Ask for help.
• Understand where your organization stands on mental health days and use its policy and procedures to improve yourself.

I stopped worrying about what the Joneses say and focused on the people who matter, concludes Das. I focused on working out and traveling the world. The trip was very eye-opening for me and a way to get back to myself from a self-care perspective. Then, I focused on helping others.

Update May 5, 2024: Sony Music changed to Sony Music Publishing