#B4Stage4 Program

ITN Productions Interview with MHA CEO Paul Gionfriddo

THE MHA ‘#B4Stage4’ NEWS PROGRAM

In a unique communication partnership, Mental Health America (MHA) and ITN Productions have joined forces to produce a news and current affairs-style program to examine the current state of mental health in America and how to improve mental health services and gain a better understanding of conditions to identify them far sooner.

‘#B4Stage4’ is an in-depth, online program specifically aimed at those working to improve mental health across the nation. It examines the challenges facing the country and explore how to raise the profile of screening, ensure there is a personalized pathway for all patients and continued support and understanding in managing any condition.

The news-style piece combines key industry interviews and news-style reports with sponsored editorial profiles of some of the leading organizations in the sector.

‘#B4Stage4’ was premiered at the MHA Annual Conference on June 4, 2015 in Alexandria, Virginia. The program's next phase is an extensive online communications campaign that includes medical organisations, associations, healthcare providers, health systems, and other organized systems of care; as well as journalists, writers and bloggers in the sector.

ITN Productions’ Director of Programming, Simon Shelley said: “ITN Productions will be using their story-telling heritage to examine industry efforts to improve mental health policy and the support available for those managing conditions. We’re excited to embark on this project to engage with and inform professionals about the challenges and benefits of prevention and early detection.”

Paul Gionfriddo CEO of Mental Health America, said: “Mental Health America is excited to partner with ITN Productions on this important project and to shed light on a new way of thinking when it comes to mental health. #B4Stage4 is not just a title or a hashtag—it’s a movement to address mental health differently. We wouldn’t ignore early signs of cancer or diabetes—so why do we ignore early signs of mental illness? Like other diseases, we need to address these symptoms early, identify the underlying disease, and plan an appropriate course of action on a path towards overall health. Mental Health America is committed to addressing mental health before Stage 4, and looking forward to this collaboration.”

For more information, or to participate in the program, please contact ITN Productions’ Industry News team via email at simon.shelley@itn.co.uk

About ITN Productions

ITN Productions is ITN’s bespoke production hub producing creative and commercially valuable content for the corporate, commercial, broadcast and digital sectors. Industry News forms part of this offering and is a communications tool for leading industry bodies and national associations produced in a broadcast news programme format, including interviews, news items and sponsored editorial profiles.

For more information visit: www.itnproductions.co.uk

About Mental Health America:

Mental Health America is the nation’s leading community-based network dedicated to helping all Americans achieve wellness by living mentally healthier lives. Our work is driven by our commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all, early identification and intervention for those at risk, integrated care and treatment for those who need it—with recovery as the goal. 

For more information visit: www.mentalhealthamerica.net