What Does It Take To Be A Celebrity Mental Health Advocate?
(One commenter suggested letting Lohan “have a ‘normal’ life for about a decade, then revisit the idea,” which makes sense on multiple levels. Not only would waiting allow the public to stop immediately associating Lohan with wild, drunken, illegal antics, but it’d also allow Lohan time to regroup and stay regrouped. should Lohan or Gibson choose to become advocates – remember, this is all just one blogger’s “what if”ing – the public would undoubtedly take them more seriously after they’ve had to time to “practice what they preach.”)
Yet, what was surprising for me was that one Facebook commenter who thought the ideas were bad suggested that, if we’re tossing around ideas for possible celebrity mental health advocates, we should choose someone more “reputable.”
When it comes to celebrity advocacy, to really draw attention to a cause – whether that cause is animal rights, environmental protection, or mental health awareness – it’s a good idea to have a “big name” celebrity. It’s not crucial, because so many other factors go into effective advocacy, but it’d definitely work in the cause’s favor.
Of course, reputable doesn’t mean famous. Reputable means honorable. Respectable. someone or thing held in high regard. Thought to be good. Decent. and, for the time being, these words aren’t exactly the kinds of words the public is using to describe Lindsay Lohan and Mel Gibson.
So, if we were to leave it at that, the need to choose someone more “reputable” might be a valid argument.
But, should we leave it at that? I don’t think so.
During all my years of advocating for mental health awareness and education, never once have I heard someone say, “Let’s not use [that speaker] for [whatever event]. He’s not reputable.” during my time as a NAMI affiliate group leader, for example, we always looked for someone with experience when we were looking for a speaker. someone who’d been through the trials and errors of managing depression. someone who’d had to deal with the aftermath of a manic episode. someone who knew what it felt like to think suicide was the only option.
In other words, someone who had first, or even second, hand knowledge of whatever topic we were covering.
If Lindsay Lohan really was taking a medication for a health problem she didn’t have, and if that medication really was contributing to some of her behaviors, couldn’t we say she has experience with the importance of mental health education? good communication with one’s doctor? Striving for an accurate diagnosis?
And, if Mel Gibson really does have bipolar disorder, and that bipolar disorder really did lead to some of his behaviors, couldn’t we say he has experience with the importance of properly treating and managing mental illness?
I think so.
In my opinion, experience trumps reputation.
Yet, that’s not to say reputation isn’t important, which brings us back to the Facebook commenter who thought it’d be a good idea to wait a while – see how they handle the aftermath, see whether or not things change – and then revisit the idea.
After all, as another Facebooker pointed out: “We all need a good redemption story.”
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Last reviewed: 30 Aug 2010
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