#IWILLLISTEN Day Comes to New York City

Two years ago, J. Walter Thompson New York and the National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City launched #IWILLLISTEN, a campaign aimed at breaking down the stigma associated with mental illness by turning social networks into support networks. The idea was simple: Our friends will feel more comfortable asking for help if we let them know that we will listen.

Since its launch, the campaign has evolved to include a music album, #IWILLLISTEN — Songs to Break the Stigma of Mental Illness; and a free concert for New Yorkers.

These efforts have helped the campaign reach great successes, including an increase in donations to NAMI NYC-Metro by 86%, more than 30 million media impressions thanks to coverage in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Scientific American and Mashable, and more than 65 companies and non-profits becoming inspired to join the #IWILLLISTEN movement.

On Saturday, May 9,2015, New York City hosted its first-ever #IWILLLISTEN Day at the South Street Seaport Promenade. Taking place the same day was the ninth annual NAMIWalks NYC (one of the largest mental health walks in the country to support and raise awareness for individuals and families afflicted with mental illness), a wellness fair and a special concert with #IWILLLISTEN album recording artists Boola, Jenna Kyle and Romans Are Alive. First Lady of New York City, Chirlane McCray, kicked off the walk with special remarks.

To help celebrate #IWILLLISTEN Day, the team at J. Walter Thompson New York and their partners at KBV Records made an original music video for “Shadow River” by Boola, one of the songs and artists featured on the album.

“Shadow River” – Boola ft. Jeni Fujita from #IWILLLISTEN, Songs to Break the Stigma of Mental Illness from NAMI-NYC Metro on Vimeo.