BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services announced that it will recognize mental health advocates Kid Cudi, Ronda Rousey and Natasha Tracy during its annual Erasing the Stigma Leadership Awards on April 24th at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. This year, Didi Hirsch is honoring those who harness the power of social media to accelerate change and help erase the stigma associated with mental illness. The Erasing the Stigma Leadership Awards have been held annually for the past 17 years and support all of the programs at Didi Hirsch, serving close to 60,000 youth, adults and the elderly every year.
“With social media, the walls are coming down. We are discovering how common and treatable illnesses like depression, anxiety and phobias are,” said Kita Curry, Didi Hirsch President and Chief Executive Officer. “How wonderful that a successful athlete, writer and singer have used social media’s power to share their messages with millions of people. Even better, their messages are still out there, and they will add new ones as they continue the conversation beyond the Awards.”
Ronda Rousey, recipient of the Erasing the Stigma Leadership Award, is one of the most decorated UFC Women’s MMA fighters. Rousey’s advocacy has helped young women fight eating disorders by raising funds for Didi Hirsch’s Via Avanta residence for women with mental health and substance abuse issues. Natasha Tracy, who authors the acclaimed blog Bipolar Burble, will receive the Beatrice Stern Media Award for using her personal story to create a community that offers hope and support.
Scott Mescudi, better known as Kid Cudi, will be offering a special performance during the evening. Committed to helping depressed and suicidal youth through the power of music, Cudi is joining Didi Hirsch’s Erasing the Stigma Efforts as a Mental Health Ambassador. YouTube sensations and “Amazing Race” contestants Joey Graceffa and Meghan Camarena will be the Awards’ Masters of Ceremonies.
The event will also mark the launch of the Erasing the Stigma Tumblr project encouraging people to share stories about mental health that counter negative stereotypes and offer hope. Everyone is encouraged to submit content and participate in the conversation on Twitter using #erasingthestigma.
Tickets to the 18th Annual Erasing the Stigma Awards may be purchased online: www.ErasingtheStigma.org; by phone: (310) 659-5517; or by email: development@didihirsch.org.
About Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services
With 70 years of experience, Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services transforms lives by providing quality mental health care and substance abuse services in communities where stigma or poverty limit access. From 11 locations and 100 schools throughout Los Angeles County and Orange County, Didi Hirsch helps more than 74,000 children and adults each year, offering services that range from community education to outpatient care to residential treatment. Its Suicide Prevention Center was the first in the nation. Learn more at http://www.didihirsch.org/.