Paramount Media Networks and MTV Entertainment Studios launch Hidden Healers, a mental health series that elevates BIPOC voices and communities

With a group of young mental health creators and advocates, Hidden Healers will develop culturally grounded content for MTVE’s platforms with a focus on action

MTVE’s Mental Health Youth Action Forum’s first content initiative with Selena GomezFirst Lady Dr. Jill Biden and American surgeon general Dr. Vivek Murthy

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NEW YORK, October 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — On this World Mental Health Day, Paramount Media Networks and MTV Entertainment Studios (MTVE) present Hidden Healers, a digital content series created in partnership with a group of four young mental health leaders to lead mental health actions that honor the heritage of BIPOC communities and cultures.

MTV Entertainment Studios Launches Hidden Healers, a Mental Health Series That Elevates BIPOC Voices and Communities

The digital series was created in partnership with the four young leaders who developed and pitched the idea at MTVE’s inaugural Mental Health Youth Action Forum held at the White House in May 2022 with First Lady Dr. Jill BidenAmbassador Susan RiceAmerican surgeon general Dr. Vivek Murthy and Selena Gomez. They understand:

Mahmoud Khedran Egyptian immigrant, is the founder and CEO of FloraMinda mental health innovation lab that develops radically accessible and equitable solutions to the youth mental health crisis.
Kheira Bekkadja, an Algerian American Muslim whose involvement with Our mind matters nurtured his passion for creating safe spaces that de-stigmatize mental health and promote well-being.
Maddox Guerrillas, a social impact visionary from the concrete jungle of New York who embodies the idea of protopia, the idea that we work every day for the world we want to see. MADDOX is also co-creator of the first-ever direct cash transfer program targeting homeless youth.
Ayanna Kelly, an Afro-Latin veteran and mother passionate about diversity, equity, inclusivity, belonging and accessibility in corporate culture and HR. She uses her expertise and personal experiences to amplify mental health through her podcast, Sazon and Corazon.

The first of these digital videos will be released in November as part of Indigenous Heritage Month. Additional videos will be released throughout 2023, including during Black History Month (February), Women’s History Month (March), Arab American Heritage Month (April), Asian American Pacific Islander Month (May), Caribbean American Heritage Month (June), and Latinx Heritage Month (September 15-October 15.)

“We led the Mental Health Youth Action Forum to empower young people and help them develop mental health content that would resonate in their communities and inspire people to take action,” said Brianna Cayo Cotter, Senior Vice President of Social Impact, Paramount Media Networks and MTV Entertainment Studios. “We are thrilled to be able to bring this unique and timely Hidden Healers initiative to life, which furthers our shared mission to normalize and expand the conversation about mental health.”

“Practicing mental wellness is not always easy for our young people, especially those with intersectional and marginalized identities. This is due to many barriers to professional care like therapy, medications and accurate diagnoses, who are impacted by pervasive cultural stigmas that prevent people from taking action,” said Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble, founder of the AAKOMA project and co-mentor of the creators of Hidden Healers. “The Hidden Healers are a group of diverse innovators raising awareness of accessible, affordable, and inclusive methods of healing, ultimately empowering everyone to see themselves as people who can thrive.”

As part of our commitment to bringing brands together and creating movements for meaningful change, many industry partners and nonprofits who have joined the Mental Health Youth Action Forum are working with young leaders to develop mental health content for their constituents and platforms. Some of these collaborations include:

Pinterest will work alongside six young leaders, Jorge Alvarez, Thea Touchton, Davida PadiUele Boxill, Alexandria Angand Zoe Cainabout developing a new mental health campaign for their platform.
Anchor by Spotify will work with Zane Landin, Nancy Su, Diana Chao, Justine Bautista, Adia Fadaeiand Bhavya Rai to launch production of a mental health podcast titled spirit in progress.
Selena Gomez Rare Impact Fund by Rare Beauty selected Adia Fadaei, Carla Ibarra, Davida Padi, Zoe Cainand Meera Varma Be one of the very first Rare Impact Ambassadors.
Dayna Altman launched a Pinterest mental health-focused TV series called Stories by the Fireside where she invites guests to cook in her kitchen while asking them about their mental health story.
Ayanna Kelly served as one of Americas Global Advisors for Zoom Cares Social Impact Grants and started a podcast Sazon and Corazon.
Bhavya Rai started a podcast titled off the pedestal to share untold and underrepresented mental health stories from changemakers around the world. She featured a number of other Forum participants on her show.
Carmel Alchaibi spoke with Al Jazeera about his experience representing Arab Muslims at the Youth Action Forum on Mental Health and the work that needed to be done to improve mental health within Arab and Muslim communities.