How Are You? Kenneth Cole is looking to reexamine and redefine one of the most-commonly asked questions. The designer is vigilantly working to destigmatize all mental health conditions by changing the way people talk about, and care for, their mental health. With the launch of the How Are You, Really? campaign, the designer has galvanized thought leaders and celebrities alike to get candid about how they are really feeling during this uncertain time. We caught up Cole and fellow CFDA Member, and board member of the Mental Health Coalition, Pamela Bell – to hear and learn more about the exciting initiative.
Pamela: Kenneth, I know the story inside and out now, but I think everyone else would like to hear what inspired you to take on the “re-branding” of mental health by creating The Mental Health Coalition.
Kenneth: MHC is the first collaborative effort of this scale and nature. It convenes and aligns the leading mental health service providers in this country along with creative and media platforms, passionate advocates, as well as celebrities working collectively to destigmatize mental health conditions and address the pervasive public health crisis.
Mental illness is of the world’s most pressing public health concerns, affecting hundreds of millions of people. According to the WHO, 1 in 4 people globally will be affected by a mental health condition; however, we know that 4 out of 4 are in fact significantly impacted by them.
Pamela: And what is the vision for MHC?
Kenneth: MHC is convening national leaders, organizations, businesses at a high level and on a large scale around this issue. And by convening, we will now have an opportunity to steer resources in the right area and where the resources will work. It is critical, now more than ever, that we come together to promote acceptance, inspire hope and de-stigmatize mental health conditions. The Mental Health Coalition platform will be a place where individuals seeking help or guidance can access resources from our partners and better understand ways to discuss mental health.
Pamela: And that’s exactly why I wanted to get involved the minute that Lisa Smilor (thank you, CFDA!) intuitively connected us. The oppression stigma holds on Mental Health has been something I have known and seen first-hand for many years. Our shared passion and vision clearly aligned and Kenneth was moving forward fast. It took one phone call for me to join him with his tenacious, empathic team. It has been a great pleasure to be on this journey and I am optimistic about this movement and our work to reduce stigma around our collective Mental Health.
Kenneth: Pamela has brought a wealth of knowledge to the Board and we are proud to have her as a Co-Founder of MHC. She has been instrumental in bringing our vision for The Mental Health Coalition to life, from bringing on key partners to fundraising, and everything else in between. For all that she has done to get this off the ground, I am truly grateful.
Pamela: Thank you, Kenneth. I, too, am grateful for sharing this journey with you and the passionate team at MHC, the coalition partners, resource and creative partners, and supporters. Let’s talk a bit about the current state of the world with COVID-19 and how that has only re-enforced the need to address mental health.
Kenneth: With millions forced into quarantine, the magnitude of this compounds significantly. Studies have shown that physical distancing and stress related to the coronavirus crisis are having an increasing impact on mental health, amplifying the urgency for this initiative.
Pamela: We are all feeling this. There has always been a need for a new dialogue around mental health, and now more than ever with the added stress and uncertainty in everyone’s lives we have hit a tipping point.
There has been such an amazing response since the launch on May 15. Tell us how the fashion community has been involved?
Kenneth: I have been blown away by how many people have participated in the “How Are You, Really?” challenge. Several fashion designers including Donna Karan, Vera Wang, and Chloe Gosselin have worked with us on this, along with models and influencers like Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian, and Hailey Bieber and influential thought leaders like Governor Andrew Cuomo, Gabby Giffords, and Deepak Chopra. The Challenge is ongoing and we encourage your participation.
Pamela: It has been so inspiring to see such a large group of individuals participating in the “How Are You, Really?” Challenge. Please go check it out #howareyoureallychallenge. Kenneth, any final thoughts to share?
Kenneth: I just want to say that I have always loved being part of the fashion community. And now I am proud to bring together a different type of community including the most impactful mental health service providers in the country, leading academics, creative, media, and business leaders with the common goal of changing the mental health narrative in a way that will empower rather than diminish those individuals living with Mental Health conditions. We are aligned with the goal of ending the related devastating stigma. I believe that together we can end the stigma, but only together.
Learn more about the Mental Health Coalition here.
