I just wanted to call out Alicia Sparks’ interview with Paige Hemmis of the TV show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, who has come out with her own struggle with depression. I believe that when celebrities talk freely and support educational programs such as this, it helps break down the barriers of stigma and misinformation about serious mental disorders like depression. And it shows folks that no matter how successful you may be, mental illness can strike anyone, at any time.

Paige Hemmis is the spokesperson for a campaign called Blueprint For Hope, in an effort to get people talking more about depression (and most importantly, talking to a health care professional if they feel like they may have it). You can take our quick screening quiz for depression if you want to see if it’s something that might be an issue in your own life. The Blueprint for Hope campaign is supported by funding from Wyeth, makers of antidepressants Effexor and Pristiq.

Kudos to Ms. Hemmis for coming forward to talk about these issues. It helps open the door for others to consider doing the same.

Read the full entry over at Celebrity Psychings: Paige Hemmis: Help For Depression, One Blueprint At A Time

Dr. John Grohol is the CEO and founder of Psych Central. He is an author, researcher and expert in mental health online, and has been writing about online behavior, mental health and psychology issues -- as well as the intersection of technology and human behavior -- since 1992. Dr. Grohol sits on the editorial board of the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking and is a founding board member and treasurer of the Society for Participatory Medicine.

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 22 Apr 2009
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.