Rick Springfield has spoken up about his depression both in his autobiography and in many interviews throughout the past few years. He was even honored last year by Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, receiving the 2018 Beatrice Stern Media Award for raising awareness about depression and mental health issues.
He recently filmed a public service announcement for the Child Mind Institute, sharing about what has helped him with his depression and to let people know that having depression is nothing to be ashamed of and to encourage people to speak to others about it.
The Child Mind Institute is an independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders.
The video is part of the #MyYoungerSelf campaign to raise public awareness and counter stigma that has celebrities making video messages to share their experiences of growing up with mental health and learning disorders.
It’s really great that he’s doing this to help reach children with this message that would have helped him when he was younger. Not only can this message help children or adults who are suffering from depression, but also their loved ones.
In fact, learning about his depression has really opened my eyes (and raised concern) about my youngest son. He’s really moody, has trouble in school and says some troubling things. Learning about RS’s past has led me to take some steps with my youngest son that I’m not sure that I would have thought to do had I not learned about RS’s struggles with depression. My son is still pretty young and hasn’t been diagnosed with anything yet, but there are some red flags that we are investigating. (Interesting note: He’s always really, really loved dogs and benefits from dog therapy, too.)
The Child Mind Institute’s website, childmind.org, also looks like it has some really great information and resources for families and educators, in case you’re looking for some help for a child.
P.S. Did I mention that I’ll be at a Rick Springfield concert in a few hours? Yipee! Based on videos I’ve seen on social media tonight from today’s concerts, he’s feeling better enough to resume rockin’.
My Rick Springfield crush 