Dr. Neil Bernstein is a nationally recognized psychologist and speaker. He’s authored several books, he hosts speeches and workshops across America, and he’s the Teen Parenting Examiner for Examiner.com.

It’s the latter credit that brought Bernstein to my attention – well, it was his latest article for Examiner.com, rather. A required class for celebrities consisted of very basic, bottom line words of wisdom regarding celebrity behavior, their mental health issues, and how it all affects those of us watching from the sidelines – particularly children. It wasn’t groundbreaking information (I mean, we all know how off course celebs get sometimes), but it wasn’t meant to be. It was simply a poignant reminder.

And Bernstein had me in his corner, right up until…

But if we want the majority of the celebrated to be poster boys/girls for mental health (and I think they should be), we had better set a new standard for acceptable behavior [...]

The majority of celebrities should be poster children for mental health? That’s about as unreasonable as saying they should be poster children for heart health or digestive health or reproductive health. It’s just not going to happen. People are people, regardless of their fame, and we’re all at risk for mental health problems.

One in four, people. One in four.

Of course, reading between the lines, what Dr. Bernstein probably meant was that celebrities should be poster children for taking care of their mental health – in which case I totally agree. We should all be, really, but the spotlight shines brightest on the famous. The press sounds the horn on every decision they make and action they take – both good and bad – and immediately celebrities are offered up for public scrutiny. If we see the famous making good choices regarding their mental health, well, of course that’d be a good thing. Especially for the impressionable youngsters Bernstein writes about.

So, how do we get them started? Bernstein’s proposed class for celebrities, “How to be Famous, Happy, Well-Adjusted, and a Positive Role Model,” might sound a bit tongue-in-cheek, but it also sounds like a promising idea, as does his ideal syllabus of lessons in relationships, self-restraint, and compassion. I say, you’re the best poised for it, Bernstein. Give it a go!

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    Last reviewed: 12 Feb 2009