Dear Mr. Kenneth Cole: Your Billboard Stigmatizes Those With Mental Illness

Linking mental illness and gun violence perpetuates the belief that those with mental illness are violent and dangerous. Although both of these issues are important to talk about, putting them together on one billboard sends the wrong message! Help us to #givestigmatheboot and take down this hurtful billboard!

Many people with mental illness are not getting the care they deserve, and it's an issue we should all be concerned about. However, Kenneth Cole's billboard, which attempts to raise awareness of this issue and gun reform at the same time, sends the message that people with mental illness are likely to commit violent acts when they have access to guns. This could not be farther from the truth. Know your facts. Tell Kenneth Cole to take down this incredibly misleading billboard and #givestigmatheboot!

• Only 38% of people with a mental illness get the treatment and care they need.

• 1 in every 25 adults experiences a serious mental illness in a given year.

• 1 in 4 people with a serious mental illness has been a victim of a violent crime in the past year.

• Only 5% of violent crimes are committed by a person with a mental illness.

• People with mental health issues are no more likely to commit violence than any other group in society.

Get the facts. Stop the stigma.