Update- Tom Cruise "debacle"

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Update- Tom Cruise "debacle"
5
Sat, 06-25-2005 - 12:50pm

After I posted I wrote a LONG letter to NBC and surprisingly got a non-canned response!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Sat, 06-25-2005 - 2:32pm

Here is the National Mental Health Association's statement to the media:


ALEXANDRIA, Va. (June 24, 2005) - Tom Cruise's destructive, anti-mental health comments on the Today Show this morning - and over the course of the last few weeks - fuel an already intense stigma associated with mental illness that can force people with real needs to go without care.


Each year, 54 million Americans experience a mental illness, such as depression or an anxiety disorder. Yet, only one-third receive any treatment at all despite very high treatment success rates. In fact, the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health wrote in its final report, "Mental illnesses are shockingly common; they affect almost every American family." Clearly, the real crisis facing our nation is not that we over- or mistreat people, but that we fail to meet basic needs of most Americans living with mental health problems. The gap between the number of adults and children with mental health needs and those receiving treatment will certainly widen if people are dissuaded from seeking treatment because of such visible misinformation.


Cruise's comments could have very damaging consequences for American with mental health needs by increasing stigma and shame, discouraging treatment and forcing people to go without needed care. Celebrities, like Cruise, have an organic platform to share their talents and their viewpoints. However, this opportunity comes hand-in-hand with a responsibility to not mislead the American public with unfounded rhetoric.


The National Mental Health Association is the country´s oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. With more than 340 affiliates nationwide, NMHA works to improve the mental health of all Americans through advocacy, education, research and service.


iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2003
Sat, 06-25-2005 - 6:45pm

Marci, I thank you for the update. I, along with you, respect the man's right to his own opinions, however, feel he crossed the line by playing "expert" based on a bit of research and his religious beliefs. To me, this is the equivalent of a Christian being pitted against a person of the Jewish faith in a debate over the existance of Jesus. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but opinions are just that and we all have them. This is not to say we go around on soap boxes stressing that this is the ONLY way to view a

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Sat, 06-25-2005 - 8:59pm

Traci,


I wrote directly to the Today Show, since that's where the program aired; their address is:

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2004
Sun, 06-26-2005 - 3:03am

Thank you so much for the update Marci, That gave me a smile!

Right there with you,
Amanda

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2004
Sun, 06-26-2005 - 6:07pm

Marci,


Good for you for writing to NBC!