Make It OK in Iowa: A campaign to end mental illness stigma

1 in 5 will have some kind of mental illness in a given year.

It's OK to have a mental illness — many people do.

It's OK to talk about mental illness — talking makes people feel less alone.

It's OK to get help with mental illness — life can get better.

What is Make It OK?

Make It OK is a community campaign to reduce stigma by starting conversations and increasing understanding about mental illness.

Learn Talk Share

LEARN: Healthiest State Initiative seeks to educate about the stigma around mental illness and the damage it can do. By breaking down that stigma, people with mental illnesses will feel safe to talk about them and will find it easier to ask for help in finding treatment and resources.

TALK: Healthiest State Initiative is starting the conversation by introducing the Make It OK campaign to Iowans. It is important that we talk about mental illness in ways that are supportive and open.

SHARE: Through Make It OK we will provide Iowans with the resources to talk about mental illness so that we can all support those who are struggling to find the resources and treatment they deserve.

Make It OK is here to help educate Iowans and get the conversations going. Start by learning what a mental illness really is. Then, find out what to say and not to say when someone opens up to you. You can also help others by sharing your own story to help people know they aren’t alone.

How to engage with Make It OK:

Resources

Learn more about mental illness and how to be supportive.

Stories

Read first-hand stories from Iowans who want to share their personal stories of living with mental illness in an effort to reduce stigma for others.

Read Stories

Are you looking to reduce stigma in your workplace or organization? Join us as a registered Make It OK site!

Learn More

Make It OK Stories: The Podcast

Hear from 7 brave Iowans who live with a mental illness and learn about common conditions from experts.

Listen to the Podcast

Support Make It OK

Funds raised for Make It OK will help us host more free ambassador trainings and create resources for all Iowans to use.

Donate

Become an Ambassador

Are you passionate about reducing stigma in your community? Sign up to become an Ambassador.

Learn more

Spread the Message

Order Make It OK promotional products, attend an upcoming Make It OK event or request a speaker to plan your own!

Order Promotional Items

View Calendar of Events

Request Make It OK Speaker

Local Coalitions

Learn more about efforts by our local partners to spread the Make It OK message in their communities:

Mental Health Support & Crisis Lines

Make It OK is a champion for everyone, but we know that more specific help might be needed:

Your Life Iowa – 24/7 crisis support in the state of Iowa. Call 1-855-581-8111 or text to 1-855-895-8398
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Call 1-800-273-8255 (En Español – 1-888-628-9454)
Crisis Text Line – Text 741741 for crisis help
The Trevor Project (LGBTQ Crisis and Suicide Hotline) – 866-488-7386
Veterans Crisis Line – 1-800-273-8255
NAMI Iowa – offering support groups and education to outreach and advocacy
211 – a free, comprehensive information and referral system to health and human service programs, community services, disaster services and governmental programs

COVID-19 Resources: Click here for tools and resources from us and our trusted statewide partners to help you cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

2022 Annual Report

In 2022, Make It OK reached thousands of Iowans through messaging efforts, presentations and a network of ambassadors and workplaces.

Read the full report by clicking below: