Hope Means Nevada (HMN), the community-based nonprofit focused on mental wellness and eliminating youth suicide across Nevada, announces it will launch its fourth annual #Ask5 to Smash Stress social media campaign.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, a leading provider of managed healthcare services in Nevada, returns as this year’s campaign sponsor and will jointly host the campaign between Monday, April 1 and Tuesday, April 30, in recognition of National Stress Awareness Month. The campaign will be accessible on HMN’s Facebook, X and Instagram pages.
#Ask5 to Smash Stress is a peer-to-peer social media campaign focusing on encouraging teens to connect with each other to raise awareness of resources that could improve mental health and even save lives. Throughout the month, this campaign will encourage teens to #Ask5 of their friends how they are doing and provide actionable techniques to foster mental wellness.
Teens will be encouraged to log onto social media daily to learn about a variety of subjects. This year, local mental health professionals offering mental wellness tips include Ali Borowsky with Find Your Anchor, Zari Zapinsky with the Boys & Girls Club, Dr. Sheldon Jacobs with NAMI Southern Nevada, Lili Equihua with Lili Pond Therapy and Jessica Castillo with Blooming Minds. Prominent social media influencers, including Wy Mac, Dr. Kojo and Jayna Huges, will also engage in meaningful conversations with HMN and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. For the third year, professional football cheerleader Kristina Cullinane will return with a presentation to help teens understand grief and loss. Lastly, HMN Teen Committee alumni will interview current members to discuss college expectations and experiences.
Each week, the #Ask5 to Smash Stress campaign will focus on a different theme and topic to raise awareness about how to effectively alleviate stress:
- Week 1, April 1 – 8: Artistic Expression
- Week 2, April 9 – 15: Healing Hearts – Grief and Loss
- Week 3, April 16 – 22: Transitioning To College
- Week 4, April 23 – 30: Mindful Media
The campaign will also feature different challenges to encourage teens to engage with the campaign and share information with their peers. Challenges will include:
- Asking five friends to join in watching #Ask5 to Smash Stress daily live streams and videos.
- Joining the #DeinfluenceChallenge on social media to promote creating a safe and positive space online.
- Sharing #Ask5 to Smash Stress topics and tips with family and/or friends.
“As Hope Means Nevada continues to grow and reach more teens across the state, we are ecstatic to launch our #Ask5 to Smash Stress campaign for the fourth year in a row,” said Ciera Bellavance, executive director, Hope Means Nevada. “Bringing together members of the community – from psychologists to influencers, local teens, celebrities and more – will spark crucial conversations about the importance of mental wellness.”
In addition to the social media campaign for Stress Awareness Month, Hope Means Nevada has partnered with AREA15 to host EXHALE: A Yoga and Breathwork Event, with proceeds benefiting Hope Means Nevada. To purchase tickets, click here.
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