Two of the biggest movie franchises have teamed up for a great cause! Actor Jack Quaid (The Hunger Games, Vinyl) joined Project UROK and The Harry Potter Alliance in fighting the stigma around mental illness and economic inequality. By using the #MyHungerGames hashtag to tell stories on social media you can help bring awareness to this cause as well. Project UROK founder Jenny Jaffe spoke with Pop Hearts TV to let us know how this came about, the celebrities involved and how everyone can participate.
How did this partnership between Project UROK, The Harry Potter Alliance and Hunger Games come about?
I think we came to their attention when we were at San Diego Comic Con, because shortly after, we received an email from the Harry Potter Alliance telling us about their planned #MyHungerGames campaign this year. Being that all of us at UROK are huge fans of Harry Potter, and thought it was such an important campaign, we immediately jumped at the opportunity to partner with the HPA.
How did Hunger Games star Jack Quaid get involved? How has it been working with him?
Jack is one of my best friends from NYU! When the campaign was brought to my attention, he was the first person I thought of, since not only is he a Hunger Games star, he’s also someone who cares deeply about activism and advocacy. He was super game, which was so generous of him. He’s the best.
What’s the biggest impact Project UROK has had on your life in the past year?
Project UROK has not only been huge for me not only in terms of completely shifting my career path, but also because it’s really forced me to be radically honest with myself and the people in my life because of it. I’m much more open with my emotions now because I realize I can’t possibly spend all day telling teenagers it’s okay to be honest about who they are and what they’re going through without asking myself to do the same.
What do you think the biggest misconception is about mental illness in our society?
That it only effects certain people. People have ideas about who mental illness effects, and that idea always seems to be “people who aren’t me”. The reality is people of all genders, ethnicities, economic backgrounds, sexualities can experience mental illness. Project UROK has reinforced for me just how little you can ever know about someone just by working with them.
Having worked at CollegeHumor, how has that influenced your approach to Project UROK?
It has definitely had a lot to do with how I think about approaching our videos! One thing CollegeHumor taught me is the importance of having a release schedule. CollegeHumor runs itself like a video network, with different programming coming out on different days, which is crucial in terms of growing and keeping an audience.
Where do you hope Project UROK will be ten years from now?
Truthfully, I hope that Project UROK is part of a big movement toward destigmatization and improved access to affordable mental healthcare- and I hope that 10 years from now, both of those points will be such obvious ones that Project UROK isn’t even necessary anymore!
Besides Jack Quaid, what celebrities have you encountered who make a big difference with bringing awareness to mental illness?
Mara Wilson and Wil Wheaton are my heroes! I’ve been so lucky to get to work to them. I also love that The Rock has been so open about his struggles with depression recently.
What can people do to be involved or help with Project UROK and #MyHungerGames?
Make videos! You can find out how on our website or on the website of the Harry Potter Alliance. Help us spread the word on social media. And, of course, if you’re able to– donate!! We’re entirely donation based.
Who is your favorite Hunger Games character and why?
Cinna! My heart broke when he (spoiler alert!) died.
