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Make It OK impact over time

Seeing how far we’ve come
Since 2012 Make It OK has been making meaningful and measurable progress in helping stop the mental health and illness stigma. This important work has resulted in a decrease in community stigma where the campaign is active. Yet there is still much more work to be done.

Starting conversations across the nation

  • 25,000+ people reached by Make It OK ambassadors
  • 20,000+ people have taken the online pledge to Make It OK
  • 10,000+ people reached through Make It OK presentations
  • 5,000+ ambassadors trained

Learn more about our impact

Reducing stigma since 2012

In 2022 Make It OK reached 10 years of progress toward ending mental illness stigma and connecting people with support and care. Journey through this 10-year timeline to view our progress.

2012

  • The stigma surrounding mental illnesses is identified as an important issue in our communities.

  • Make It OK launches with HealthPartners, Regions Hospital, NAMI Minnesota and the East Metro Mental Health Roundtable.

2013

  • HealthPartners and Make It OK are honored with NAMI Minnesota Anti-Stigma award.

  • Early community partners join the effort, including Red Wing Shoes, Goodhue County and Twin Cities Public Television.

2014

  • TPT series about Make It OK wins an Emmy® Award. The series destigmatized mental illnesses through the voices of people with lived experience.

  • Make It OK reaches more than 100,000 Minnesotans through its advertising campaign, community education and partnerships.

2015

  • Make It OK receives the Stigma Elimination and Education Award from the Minnesota Association of Community Mental Health Programs.

  • More than 1,400 trained ambassadors begin Make It OK in their communities, including new programs by University of Minnesota Boynton Health Services and Crow Wing Energized.

2016

  • HealthPartners sponsors The Hilarious World of Depression podcast.

  • More than 35,000 people visit MakeItOK.org, and 9,000 take the online Pledge to Make It OK as Make It OK expands across the east metro and western Wisconsin.

2017
2018

  • New partners continue to join the Make It OK effort, including Northland Healthy Minds, Anoka County Mental Wellness Campaign, Andersen Corporation national employee campaign and more.

2019

  • Make It OK launches across Iowa with a signed proclamation from the governor.

  • Second IMPACT survey begins to measure changes in attitudes, beliefs and actions related to stigma since 2017.

2020

  • Make It OK continues to reach communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, changing to virtual outreach and expanding reach nationwide.

  • The Hilarious World of Depression podcast achieves 10,000,000 downloads.

2021

  • Make It OK creates and resources new training tools based on changing community perceptions, attitudes and needs toward mental health.

  • Third IMPACT survey begins, measuring changes in attitudes, beliefs and actions related to stigma and the impact of COVID-19 on mental health in our communities.
    Key takeaways:

    • Over half (57%) of survey respondents agree that there’s mental illness stigma in their communities. While this number has decreased since 2019, there is still work to be done.
    • When asked how comfortable people are talking with someone about that person’s mental illness, most respondents (65%) say they’re somewhat or very comfortable. Comfort level has decreased since 2019.
    • Most respondents (75%+) are willing to take action against mental illness stigma, and many have already taken action.
2022-2023

  • Continued growth of partners, ambassadors and community engagement, with a focus on communities more severely affected by mental illnesses and stigma.

  • Make It OK celebrates 10 years with a live (and virtual) event to honor our ambassadors, partners and all the progress made. Watch the event recording here.

  • New resources focus on resilience, stigma of substance use disorder and equipping adults to effectively support youth mental health.

  • Make It OK partners with Penumbra Theatre to bring Let’s Talk — Mental Wellness & Race to the community. Watch the conversation.

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people have already pledged to stop the mental and illness health stigma

Stigma stops here. By signing this pledge, you’re helping break the silence and taking a stand against mental health stigma. Together, we can Make It OK.

Take the pledge