MTV continues to challenge bias, stereotypes and marginalization surrounding mental health – an issue which touches every community across the globe.
According to the World Health Organization, 1 in every 8 people, or 970 million people worldwide, are living with a mental disorder. Despite this prevalence, a recent MTV Entertainment study discovered that nearly 70% of people do not believe they have the expertise or basic knowledge to help a friend who is struggling.
On Mental Health Action Day, MTV launched ‘From Me to You’ - a series of short-form videos filmed across Asia, featuring 9 Asian artists sharing their intimate mental health journeys in their own words. They open up about their struggles, experiences, and the invaluable support they received from those closest to them. Our goal is to invite our audience to hear their inspiring and deeply personal stories, which we hope will help create a more open and supportive environment for mental health discussions.
When celebrities speak openly about their struggles, it has a powerful impact on the public. Seeing familiar faces confront their challenges encourages fans and viewers to seek help and talk about their own experiences.
The director’s skill was crucial in creating a safe, supportive environment where celebrities felt comfortable sharing their stories. Thoughtful casting brought together a diverse range of perspectives, allowing the series to cover a wide array of mental health topics, including bipolar disorder, grief, and more. This diversity, combined with a focus on building trust and empathy, allowed for the raw, genuine emotions to shine through in each narrative.
The story is supplemented with #ASKtoHelp PSAs on how to help a friend and GRWM - deeply personal motivational/mental health tips from the artist that keep them going as a sequel on #selfcaresundays.
Lastly, the series’ careful editing closely follows mental health media guidelines to safeguard audiences and prevent copycat behavior, ensuring responsible and impactful storytelling.
Through 'From Me to You', MTV managed to explore a diverse range of mental health narratives—from themes of grief and cyberbullying to anxiety and generational trauma—ensuring a rich variety of perspectives.
The launch content has amassed over 1 million organic views across platforms, localized into different languages including Japanese and Chinese.
The series is closely aligned with Paramount Global’s ‘Content for Change’ initiative, which aims to use content as a force for positive social impact. By bringing mental health to the forefront, this series not only entertains but also educates and empowers, making a real difference in the lives of viewers across Asia.
