“You cannot be anonymous with mental illness. You really have to talk, loudly, and say ‘Hey, I’ve got it, I’m functioning, my life is better for it.’” – Joe Pantoliano to Brian Williams.

Joe Pantoliano – or Pants – has a new documentary out with the same title as the nonprofit organization he runs with the help of Robert Downey, Jr., Robin Williams, Jeff Bridges, fellow Soprano stars Edie Falco and Michael Imperioli, and a whole string of other celebs – and he wants us all to attend.

On January 30, 2009, there will be a special screening of “No Kidding, Me Too!”, which is aimed at fighting the shame and stigma attached to brain disease and mental illness. Attending means purchasing a ticket ($50 for general admission and $100 for VIP treatment, which includes access to a “meet and greet” session before the show) and making travel arrangements to Boston. You can find details about the special screening and purchasing tickets at the NKM2 Web site.

While you ponder, be sure to take a look at the five-minute sneak peek, as well as this NBC new video in which Pants discusses his depression, the effect Canvas had on him, and the stigma that surrounds mental illness with Brian Williams.

And really, I highly recommend watching the interview, if for nothing more than hearing the above quote, as well as this gem: “The brain does not have the same equal rights as the liver or the kidney or the gallbladder.”

Image Source: sagindie per these Creative Commons License Attributions

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    Last reviewed: 12 Jun 2011