I just read an inspiring letter to the editor from the Tennessean reader Sheila A. Hobson.

In short, Sheila wrote the letter to commend Beverly Keel’s (a celebrity columnist for the Tennessean) decision to stop reporting news about country music star Mindy McCready (news related to her struggles with problems like drug and alcohol abuse and reported suicide attempts), and make a few very valid points to other readers (and Americans) regarding the public’s responses to such news.

You can read the entire letter online, but my favorite bits are:

The public needs to realize that until you or a loved one battle the demons of mental illness and/or drug and alcohol addition, one has no clue what you are up against [...]

I would hope that the next time we Americans are tempted to feed off of the failures of the famous, instead we would remember that individual with a thought for hope and positive long-term success in our daily thoughts, prayers and meditations.

After all, they are human beings just like we are.

Read the full entry… »

One Comment to
“Addiction, Illness, And Suicide: Why Treat Celebrities Differently?”

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Damien 2:18 pm on December 26th, 2008

I agree that celebrities are people and we should show compassion. However, celebrities are role models in society. If Carrie Fisher gets over a bad bout with mania or depression this is hope for millions going through it.

I’d like to see this blog poke fun sometimes at just plain silly stuff celebs do and then also when it’s appropriate discuss how mental illness may be causing certain behaviors.

Whatever you do I’m along for the ride. Like you said in your comment over my blog, let’s hope to raise awareness.

Often people who are hospitalized in the real world are told by their doctors how to get social security and to not expect much from their lives. When a celebrity overcomes the same thing it actually helps the stigma. People can say: “Hey! Carrie Fisher did it” or — you fill in the blank whoever. So it is important to report what is going on with celebrities.

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