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The conversation around mental health has become increasingly important in recent years, and now, it seems that it has made its way to the White House.
President Joe Biden and wife, Dr. Jill Biden, are teaming up with the cast of the hit show “Ted Lasso” to highlight the importance of mental health.
The meeting, which will be conducted at the White House on Monday, will include actor Jason Sudeikis, who plays the titular character, along with several other members of the cast. According to a statement from AppleTV+, the discussion will focus on “the importance of addressing your mental health to promote overall wellbeing.”
It’s a message that is echoed in the show itself. “Ted Lasso,” which is currently in its third season on AppleTV+, has been praised for its honest and compassionate portrayal of mental health issues. Sudeikis’ character, a football coach from Kansas who is brought to England to lead a struggling team, seeks therapy after grappling with panic attacks.
In a 2021 interview with Us Weekly, Sudeikis explained the importance of including mental health in the show’s storyline.
“It’s been there forever, but it’s really come up a lot in just knowing where the characters were headed and how important it is to work on yourself to help your team,” he said. “And I think that we were trying to explore that and personify it in a way and kind of trojan horse that there’s bigger issues in this fun, silly little comedy show.”
The show has resonated with viewers, many of whom have reached out to the cast and crew to thank them for their honest portrayal of mental health issues.
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What It Means to go to Therapy
“People have really responded to that,” Sudeikis said.
“And myself and other people in the cast and the writing staff get messages daily from people thanking them for really opening their eyes to what it means to go to therapy and what it means for someone in their own life to go to therapy and just speaking about these things and taking the stigma off of any form of health whether it be nutrition or mental, emotional health.”
Biden has made improving mental health a key priority during his presidency. In his 2022 State of the Union address, he urged the country to “take on mental health” as part of his “unity agenda.” Now, it seems that he’s bringing that message to the small screen by partnering with the cast of “Ted Lasso.”
It’s an important conversation to have, and one that is long overdue. Mental health affects us all, and it’s crucial that we address it openly and honestly.
By teaming up with the cast of “Ted Lasso,” Biden is sending a message that mental health is important, and that we all need to take care of each other and ourselves. As the show’s iconic poster says, we need to “BELIEVE” in the power of mental health.
The timing of this conversation is significant, as President Biden has made improving mental health a key part of his “unity agenda” and urged the country to take on mental health in his 2022 State of the Union address.
With the pandemic continuing to impact people’s lives, mental health has become even more critical, and it is heartening to see the administration take action to address the issue.
White House Mental Health Discussion
The cast of “Ted Lasso” has been vocal about the significance of mental health in the show’s storyline. Sudeikis, who plays the title character, has discussed how the show’s exploration of mental health was not intentional but rather a natural progression of the characters’ journeys.
“In regard to the mental health stuff, it was just there. It’s been there forever, but it’s really come up a lot in just knowing where the characters were headed and how important it is to work on yourself to help your team,” Sudeikis told Us Weekly in 2021.
The show has been praised for its nuanced portrayal of therapy, with Sudeikis’ character seeking help after grappling with panic attacks. The show’s treatment of mental health has resonated with viewers, who have reached out to the cast and writing staff to thank them for taking the stigma off mental and emotional health issues.
As the conversation around mental health continues to grow, it is encouraging to see public figures and media outlets take a proactive approach to the issue. By teaming up with “Ted Lasso,” President Biden is sending a powerful message that mental health is an essential component of overall well being, and it is time to begin treating it as such.
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Biden Administration Focus
Improving mental health has been a key focus for the Biden administration, with the president making it a key portion of his “unity agenda” and urging the country to “take on mental health” in his 2022 State of the Union address.
The administration has aimed on “training more providers, making care more affordable and accessible, and creating healthier and safer communities, including online,” according to a White House official.
The Bidens have involved famous people multiple times to increase public awareness about important topics, such as mental health. Actress and singer Selena Gomez, who has spoken about her own experience with bipolar disorder, joined the Mrs. Biden at a Mental Health Youth Action Forum that MTV hosted at the White House in the previous year.
In addition, Gomez participated in a video with Biden, the first lady, and Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy where she discussed utilizing her platform to raise awareness about mental health.
The meeting between the “Ted Lasso” cast and the Bidens will help to further raise awareness about the importance of mental health. Content from the meeting will appear on the White House’s social media channels, according to Apple TV+.
With mental health becoming an increasingly important issue in society, it’s encouraging to see influential figures using their platforms to promote awareness and reduce stigma.
