FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CALENDAR LISTING 

HOPE MEANS NEVADA, ANTHEM BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ANNOUNCE APRIL 16 – 22 VIRTUAL EVENT SCHEDULE FOR #ASK5 TO SMASH STRESS SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN 

Week Three of Campaign Spotlights Transitioning to College 

Click Here for Downloadable, High-Res Photos 

WHAT:
For the third week of its monthlong #Ask5 to Smash Stress social media campaign for National Stress Awareness Month, Hope Means Nevada (HMN), the community-based non-profit focused on mental wellness and eliminating youth suicide in the state, and campaign sponsor Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield will focus on transitioning to college. 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.  

WEEK 3 SCHEDULE: TRANSITIONING TO COLLEGE
Tuesday, April 16: Panel discussion on college life challenges with former HMN Teen Hope Network Chair Lauren Edgeworth and current HMN Teen Chair Grace Netski. 

Wednesday, April 17: Managing expectations for college life with Lili Equihua from Lili Pond Therapy. 

Thursday, April 18: College campus toolkit collaboration with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Southern Nevada office and local licensed marriage and family therapist Dr. Sheldon A. Jacobs. 

Friday, April 19: Teen Talk Tuesday compilation on the weekly topic of transitioning to college life.  

Saturday, April 20: Infographic on homesickness. 

Sunday, April 21: Infographic on self-compassion and giving yourself grace. 

Monday, April 22: Panel discussion on college life challenges with former HMN Teen Committee members Caroline Edgeworth and Ella King. 

WHERE:
Facebook, X and Instagram @hopemeansnevada 

HASHTAGS:
#Ask5toSmashStress
#Ask5
#SuicidePrevention
#MentalWellness
#ItsOKtoNOTbeOK
#StressAwarenessMonth 

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: 
Media are invited to interview mental health professionals and subject matter experts from Hope Means Nevada, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and local organizations to learn more about this effort and other available resources so they can be shared with audiences to influence positive action and strengthen communities. To schedule a phone, Zoom or on-air interview, please contact Vanessa Thill at vanessa@thevoxagency.com. 

ABOUT ANTHEM BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Nevada helps improve healthcare access and quality for more than 650,000 Nevadans by developing innovative care management programs and services. Anthem’s top priority is the health and well-being of its members and enabling access to comprehensive healthcare. Through health education and community outreach programs, members are empowered to choose and sustain a healthy lifestyle. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Community Care Health Plan of Nevada, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Anthem is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. To learn more, visit www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/anthemBCBS_news or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AnthemMedicaid/. 

ABOUT HOPE MEANS NEVADA
Hope Means Nevada’s (HMN) mission is to eliminate teen suicide and empower Nevada’s youth to live hopeful lives. As one of the most trusted and visible mental health resources in the state, HMN inspires a culture of empathy and advocacy around mental health. While raising awareness around Nevada’s high rates of mental health challenges, the organization strives to amplify hope and connect youth with desperately needed resources. Through collaborative, compassionate, inclusive and impactful efforts, the community-based initiative envisions a suicide-free Nevada. For more information about Hope Means Nevada, go to www.hopemeansnevada.org and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The new National Suicide Prevention Hotline number is now a three-digit dialing code 988. Those experiencing a mental health emergency can also text “Home” to 741741 to reach the National Crisis Text Line. 

MEDIA CONTACTS: 
Vanessa Thill/ Erika Pope
The Vox Agency 
vanessa@thevoxagency.com, erika@thevoxagency.com 
(469) 226-4723, (702) 249-2977 

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