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President Biden and “Ted Lasso” Cast Discuss Mental Health
Actor and the star of “Ted Lasso”, Jason Sudeikis, and other cast members met with President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden at the White House on Monday to discuss mental health. Apple TV+ announced the meeting, which will be focused on “the importance of addressing your mental health to promote overall wellbeing.”
Cast Members Joining the Discussion
The cast members joining the discussion include Hannah Waddingham, Jeremy Swift, Phil Dunster, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, Toheeb Jimoh, Cristo Fernandez, Kola Bokinni, Billy Harris, and James Lance. The cast visited the White House briefing room before meeting with the Bidens.
“Believe” in Mental Health
During the meeting, Jason Sudeikis said that President Biden and his team are working to ensure that Americans have access to mental health options. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said it is a cornerstone of Biden’s “unity agenda.” Sudeikis also spoke about the importance of everyone taking care of each other’s mental health, highlighting how mental health struggles are a commonality among all human beings.
The Importance of Addressing Mental Health
The meeting’s focus was on promoting overall wellbeing by addressing mental health. With the Bidens’ dedication to the issue, mental health has become a key component of Biden’s “unity agenda.” The administration has aimed to train more providers, make care more affordable and accessible, and create healthier and safer communities, including online. Mental health has become an important issue for many Americans; a 2023 CNN and Kaiser Family Foundation survey found that 9 in 10 adults believe that a mental health crisis exists in the United States.
“Ted Lasso” Tackles Mental Health
“Ted Lasso,” now streaming its third season on AppleTV+, has tackled mental health issues in its storyline. The show’s title character, played by Sudeikis, seeks therapy after grappling with panic attacks. Sudeikis has talked about how the show aims to explore mental health issues and personify them in a fun, silly comedy show. The show has received praise for taking the stigma off mental health issues and increasing awareness of the importance of seeking help. Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN’s parent company, produces “Ted Lasso.”
Celebrities and Mental Health Awareness
The White House has enlisted celebrities to help raise awareness about mental health. Selena Gomez, who has shared her struggles with bipolar disorder, appeared with the first lady at a Mental Health Youth Action Forum hosted by MTV at the White House. Gomez has talked about using her platform to promote mental health awareness.
Conclusion
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, it is encouraging to see high-profile figures advocating for awareness and action to promote overall wellbeing.
This story and headline have been updated with additional developments. CNN’s Nikki Carvajal and Maegan Vazquez contributed to this report.
