HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- A series of six public service announcements featuring big name television stars will be released beginning mid-April as part of an Air Force-wide effort to encourage Airmen to seek help when in need.
Stigma is a huge barrier to why Airmen are hesitant to seek help, and it’s why the Community Action Team at Hill AFB set out to "set the record straight" by producing a series of public service announcements for Air Force-wide distribution.
The ads will promote resilience and encourage Airmen to reach out to resources such as mental health, alcohol and drug abuse treatment, sexual assault response, family advocacy, and employee assistance programs for support.
Filming for first ad began in January. The clip titled, "The Big Picture" stars actors Jonathan Camp, best known for his appearances on StartUp, Six, and American Fright Fest, along with television personality Diesel Dave Kiley from the Discovery Channel’s Diesel Brothers.
The introductory video illustrates how Airmen play a critical role defending the nation, but that the Air Force also recognizes no one can perform at maximum capacity at all times. At some point or another, Airmen will need resources.
Base leadership have played a critical role to ensure success of the project. Filming has taken place on-location at Hill’s fitness center and flight line, and even includes instrumental props such as an F-35A Lightning II fighter jet.
Kiley returned to Hill AFB with a production team from Discovery Channel's Diesel Brothers in February for filming of the second ad in the series, which promotes mental health awareness and suicide prevention resources.
The remaining ads are currently in different stages of production and will showcase additional stars such as Food Network’s Chef Robert Irvine.
The ad campaign is the brainchild of Capt. Madeleine Jensen, the base’s deputy sexual assault response coordinator, and has required coordination with dozens of different Air Force organizations.
A free premiere of the first ad The Big Picture will be held from 8:30-9:30 a.m. April 18 at the Hill Air Force Base theater. Register to attend at bigpicturepsa.eventbrite.com or call the SAPR office at 801-777-1950 for more information.