Brian Wilson Partners With Change Direction to Benefit Mental Health Awareness
So for all of the die hard Beach Boys and Brian Wilson fans I'm providing you the entire press release.
WASHINGTON, D.C., September 18, 2015 – The Campaign to Change Direction, a national initiative to
change the culture of mental health in America, today announced a new partnership with legendary
musician and co-founder of the Beach Boys Brian Wilson.
Launched in March of this year, the Campaign to Change Direction is a national initiative to broaden our
understanding of mental health by encouraging all Americans to take a pledge to learn the Five Signs of
emotional suffering and to care for their mental well-being just as they do their physical well-being.
“My wife, Melinda, and I are very excited to be a part of this important campaign, not only to bring
awareness to the mental health issues faced by millions of Americans, but also to encourage everyone
to learn the Five Signs of emotional suffering,” said Brian Wilson. “It’s time for us to bring the
conversation of mental health in America out of the shadows, and the Campaign to Change Direction is
leading the way.”
As part of this new partnership, Mr. Wilson will perform a concert on November 4 at the Hyatt
nonprofit organization providing free mental health services to the military and veteran
community, and the lead organization behind the Change Direction campaign. Information about
the concert and where to purchase tickets can be found at
www.ChangeDirection.org/Brian-
Change Direction is proud to work not only with Mr. and Mrs. Wilson but also with the producers and
cast members of Love & Mercy, a biographical film dramatizing Mr. Wilson's life and love story with his
wife. Together they hope to inspire even more Americans to take the pledge to learn the Five Signs of
emotional suffering.
“Give an Hour is thrilled to welcome Brian and Melinda as new partners and showcase Love & Mercy as
we work to change the direction of mental health in our nation,” said Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, founder
and president of Give an Hour. “By creating a shared mission to educate Americans about the signs of
emotional suffering and using different tools and mediums to reach our audience, we can encourage
awareness, compassion, and action to change the national conversation about mental health.”
Joining Mr. Wilson at the announcement, made today at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.,
was his wife, Melinda Wilson; actor Paul Dano, who portrays a young Brian Wilson in the film; and the
film's acclaimed director/producer Bill Pohlad – all of whom participated in a panel discussion on how
Hollywood can help change America’s attitude toward mental health. The panel was moderated by
former West Wing star Melissa Fitzgerald, now Senior Director of Justice for Vets.
About Change Direction
The Campaign to Change Direction, a national initiative to change the culture of mental health in
America, encourages Americans to care for their mental well-being just as they do their physical well-
being. Led by Give an Hour, a national nonprofit organization providing free mental health services to
the military and veteran community, Change Direction addresses common barriers to understanding
mental health and raises awareness about the Five Signs that may indicate someone is suffering
emotionally and needs help: change in personality, agitation, withdrawal, decline in personal care, and
hopelessness.
More than 150 partner organizations across the United States are using their unique skills and
opportunities to spread awareness; this collective impact effort will reach more than 30 million
Americans in the next five years. Organizations and individuals who are interested in learning more or
making a pledge can visit
www.changedirection.org.
About Brian Wilson
One of the world’s legendary musical figures, Brian Wilson was the primary composer for the Beach
Boys and was responsible for the release of a slew of hit singles during the early 1960s, creating music
that would come to epitomize a generation. The Beach Boys released three albums in 1963 alone: Surfin'
U.S.A., Surfer Girl, and Little Deuce Coupe, all of which cracked the Top 10. In 1966 they went on to
release the seminal album Pet Sounds, one of the most treasured albums of all time. After years of
seclusion and battling mental illness, Mr. Wilson revitalized his career with the release of several hugely
successful solo albums including Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE, his long-awaited masterpiece, and, most
recently, his album No Pier Pressure. He is currently the subject of a critically acclaimed biopic, Love &
Mercy, which is based on his contributions to the music industry as a musical genius as well as the
mental health struggles he has overcome. One of the most influential musicians and songwriters in Rock
and Roll history, Brian Wilson has earned numerous awards and honors including membership in the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame, two Grammy’s, and the prestigious Kennedy
Center Honors for lifetime contribution to the performing arts.
About "Love & Mercy"
The critically acclaimed film Love & Mercy defies conventional storytelling with the dual story line of
Brian Wilson, the singer, songwriter, and leader of the Beach Boys. Set against two distinct eras in
Brian's lengthy musical career, the film intimately examines his personal voyage from the period during
which he shapes the early sounds of the Beach Boys to the time he meets his wife, Melinda. Golden
Globe® nominee John Cusack (Best Actor, High Fidelity, 2001), in “one of the best performances of his
career” (Hollywood Reporter), stars alongside Paul Dano (Little Miss Sunshine, Looper) as the troubled
musical genius Brian in two pivotal stages of his life—the 1960s, at the peak of the Beach Boys' fame,
and the 1980s, as Brian reclaims his life after a mental breakdown. They are joined by Elizabeth Banks
(The Hunger Games franchise) as Melinda Wilson and two-time Golden Globe® winner Paul Giamatti
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