Clarity Up named 2026 Anthem Awards finalist for viral TEDx talk on perfectly hidden depression
Dr. Margaret Rutherford's TEDx talk on perfectionism that masks depression has been viewed more than 2.4 million times.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Brian Miller, Founder & Principal Consultant
Email: team@clarityupconsulting.com
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (October 14, 2026) Clarity Up Consulting has been named a Finalist in the 6th Annual Anthem Awards, in the Thought Leadership Content or Series category under Health. The recognized project is "How to Recognize Perfectly Hidden Depression," the TEDx talk that messaging consultant and speechwriter Brian Miller developed with and for clinical psychologist Dr. Margaret Rutherford.
Anthem Winners are selected by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Judges for the 6th Annual Anthem Awards include an esteemed panel of leaders from leading organizations and companies dedicated to social impact, including Nancy Brown, CEO, American Heart Association, Heather Malenshek, CMO, Land O’Lakes, Inc., and Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Award-Winning Actor & LGBTQ+ Advocate.
“We’re thrilled to see the impact sector bounce back, share their stories, and expand their impact after a challenging year last year,” said Anthem Awards General Manager, Patricia McLoughlin. “This year’s Finalists are truly setting the standard for how to advocate for a cause, inspire action, create impact, and overall make this world a better place.”
The recognized project
Dr. Margaret Rutherford coined the term "perfectly hidden depression" for emotional pain that hides behind achievement, perfectionism, and a life that looks fine from the outside. Drawing on decades of experience as a therapist, her talk explains why people living with it often show none of the textbook symptoms, and why that makes it so easy to miss.
This talk, delivered at TEDxBocaRaton, has since been viewed more than 2.4 million times. It builds on her book Perfectly Hidden Depression (New Harbinger), and her SelfWork podcast ranks in the top 0.5% of podcasts worldwide.
Finalists were selected from more than 2,500 entries worldwide. This year's finalists include PBS, ABC News, Pfizer AARP, Johnson & Johnson, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Doctors Without Borders, and The Rockefeller Foundation.
Why this work matters
Founder and Principal Consultant Brian Miller reflects on the work:
"When I met Dr. Rutherford just eight weeks out from stepping on the red dot, she had already done the hardest part. She put a name to something millions of people were living with and couldn't describe. My job was to make sure the people who needed to hear it — folks dealing with or caring for people living with perfectly hidden depression — would immediately recognize it in themselves or others."
He continues,
“More than the honor itself, this recognition represents our continued commitment at Clarity Up to support credentialed experts who need to explain complex, important work to the folks who need to understand it. We remain focused on our stated mission to restore humanity’s trust in experts.”
This is Clarity Up's second consecutive year as an Anthem Awards finalist. In 2025, "How to Be an Activist Who Creates Real Change," developed with and for Carey Theil and Christine Dorchak of GREY2K USA Worldwide, won both a Silver Anthem Award and the Anthem Community Voice Award in Humanitarian Action & Services.
The firm's work has also received six Cicero Speechwriting Awards and four Communicator Awards of Excellence, across talks in ocean science, animal welfare, finance, child safety, communication, health-tech, and now mental health.
Vote for Margaret in the Anthem Community Voice Award
While the Anthem Awards official judging occurs over the next two weeks, the public is also encouraged to partake in a special Community Voice vote, celebrating their favorite work in each category by way of public vote.
Public voting is open through Thursday, October 29 at 11:59 pm PT.
Vote for "How to Recognize Perfectly Hidden Depression" here.
About the Anthem Awards
Launched in 2021 by The Webby Awards, the Anthem Awards honor purpose- and mission-driven work across cause areas including health, humanitarian action, education, and sustainability. Official Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners are selected by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS). The Anthem Community Voice Award, in partnership with NationBuilder, is decided by public vote.
About Clarity Up Consulting
Clarity Up Consulting is a boutique firm in Virginia Beach, Virginia, specializing in core messaging and speech design for experts, leaders, and founders. Founder Brian Miller has consulted on more than 45 TEDx talks with a combined 20 million views across 30+ subject areas and 11 distinct industries. He is one of the co-founders of core messaging as a formal discipline and the author of The One-Page Keynote (Rethink Press, 2026), a #1 Amazon bestseller. Learn more at clarityupconsulting.com.
Media contact: team@clarityupconsulting.com
