COVID-19 is not just a danger to one’s body; it can be a threat to one’s mind.

Anxiety, fear, and sadness are just some of the myriad emotions millions are feeling as a result of the pandemic’s affect on those we love, on our communities, on our nation, and on ourselves.

Recognizing the mental health burden and potential behavioral impact that countless Americans face—as a result of unemployment, the loss of loved ones, the isolation that comes with social distancing, and the possibility of contracting the virus—public health experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the CDC Foundation turned to NORC. They tasked us with developing a communication campaign as well as new coping tools to help those in need. 

NORC helped curate and promote targeted mental health resources from trusted sources.

With technical guidance from CDC, and funding from the CDC Foundation, NORC partnered with Burness Communications, Inc. and The Media Network (TMN Corp)—to help us create How Right Now/Qué Hacer Ahora (HRN/QHA). HRN/QHA drives audiences to a website of existing and newly developed evidence-based, feeling- and situation-specific bilingual resources.  These incuded fact sheets, articles, webinars, mobile apps, videos, and crisis hotlines. While these coping tools are available to everyone, the campaign focused on reaching

• People with preexisting mental and physical health conditions
• People experiencing violence
• People in economic distress
• Adults 65+ years old and their caregivers
   

Because time was of the essence, our multidisciplinary team conducted rapid formative research that was both quantitative and qualitative. Our approach included an environmental scan, social listening, online focus groups with priority audiences, partner needs assessments, and surveys of more than 1,000 people using NORC’s renowned nationally representative and scientifically rigorous  AmeriSpeak® panel. Our findings underlined the importance of

• Validating people's experiences and acknowledging the severity of their situations
• Sharing actionable content that doesn’t create additional barriers
• Being culturally responsive
   

We used this information to develop a brand and culturally appropriate targeted messaging and materials, including several award-winning videos of real people talking about their emotional responses to the pandemic.

For maximum speed, insight, and effectiveness, our team partnered with and listened to the trusted voices of influential local, regional, and national organizations. More than 83 organizational partners—including the notables below—lent their expertise and actively disseminated products and resources to their communities. 

To drive people to the website, we used a mix of social media posts; radio advertisements; television advertisements in provider waiting rooms; virtual meetings, conferences, and town halls; and texting programs. We also tapped 44 celebrities and 61 influencers to push out our messages.