Look again: Monitors at Pittsburgh Airport offer mental health messages, not ads
Life is stressful, with reports of anxiety, depression and mental illness on the rise.
This summer, all the packed airplanes and delayed or canceled flights mean travel is super stressful, too, and it's no doubt triggering for many people.
So, what better place to offer hopeful and helpful mental health awareness messages than in an airport?
In concert with a variety of local community groups and organizations, Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) installed nine digital monitors in the terminal offering video messages about the importance of mental health and offering resources for people seeking more information or assistance.
The campaign is intended to run through December 2024, but "it is our intention to continue expanding the campaign programming beyond that date," Bob Kerlik, PIT spokesperson, said. "We continue to put our passengers and our team members first. This includes providing mental health support resources as we navigate the challenges and stress of everyday life," Kerlik said of PIT's new terminal program.
The monitors, which measure 7 feet tall and have 55-inch screens, are hard to miss. They include diverse and inclusive messages, including some recorded by entertainment icons and beloved sports figures from local teams such as the Penguins, Pirates and Steelers. There are also some messages from local arts and activism organization 1Hood Media.
"Mental health is as important as physical health," Christina Cassotis, CEO of Pittsburgh International Airport, said. "And we all really want to be sure we're taking care of ourselves so we can take of others."
According to the Society for Human Resource Management, of the nearly 53 million U.S. adults diagnosed with a mental illness, only 46% have accessed mental health services.
"I have always believed that one of the ways we can eliminate the stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness is to, what I call, normalize it," Joni Schwager, executive director of Staunton Farm Foundation, said. The organization funded the mental health monitors at PIT. "By seeing these exhibits with different people whose faces they recognize ... it makes it not quite as stigmatizing and not quite as scary."
The new campaign at PIT coincides with the launch of the nationwide suicide and crisis lifeline number (988) that went live on July 16. Its audience goes beyond passengers.
The recent report from SHRM also found that 94% of human resources professionals believe that by offering mental health resources, organizations can improve the overall health of employees. There are thousands of people who work at PIT.
The mental health messages on the monitors are also designed for kids and families.
One of the screens is in PIT's Kidsport — a 2,100-square-foot interactive children's play area in Concourse C. This screen features messages from the Fred Rogers Productions preschool series "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood," encouraging children to communicate their feelings to adults. The message also offers helpful suggestions for parents and caregivers on how to support young travelers.
"The social and emotional strategies of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood are relatable for preschoolers because they are based on established child development principles, and we hope the messages will help young travelers and parents navigate the emotions and new experiences that come with travel," Paul Siefken, president and CEO of Fred Rogers Productions, said.
"We are excited about this initiative with Pittsburgh International Airport," SFF's Schwager said. "Millions of people from our region and around the world will take the message of hope to their final destinations."
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees