FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CALENDAR LISTING 

HOPE MEANS NEVADA, ANTHEM BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ANNOUNCE APRIL 9 – 15 VIRTUAL EVENT SCHEDULE FOR #ASK5 TO SMASH STRESS SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN 

Week Two of Campaign Spotlights Healing Hearts – Grief, Loss 

Click Here for Downloadable, High-Res Photos 

WHAT:
For the second 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 Healing Hearts – Grief and Loss. 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 2 SCHEDULE: HEALING HEARTS – GRIEF AND LOSS
Tuesday, April 9: Teen Talk Tuesday compilation on the weekly topic of healing hearts – grief and loss. 

Wednesday, April 10: Professional football cheerleader Kristina Cullinane will discuss coping strategies for grief.  

Thursday, April 11: Infographic on loneliness and grief. 

Friday, April 12: Las Vegas counselor Jessica Castillo with Blooming Minds will share information on how to cultivate self-compassion. 

Saturday, April 13: Infographic on Marisa Renee Lee, expert on Grief is Love. 

Sunday, April 14: Infographic on showing up for loved ones in grief. 

Monday, April 15: Weekly recap – five takeaways from the week. 

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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