Ron Artest’s Mental Health Struggles
- Thread starter paultzman
- Start date
Anthony Mattia
Well-known member
Great to hear that he has gotten the help he needs and is doing more to shine a light on it. Extremely proud of the man he has become.
Anthony, Mr. P -
My Dad who fought the Japanese in WWII in Burma suffered his entire life - as did many others from that great generation - and he returned home, got a job, raised his kids struggling with anxiety every single day. As do victims of crime, auto accidents, rape, those who have kids in trouble, dangerous marriage...
I have witnessed once BIG AND STRONG athletes, policemen, military, every day people suffer from depression and anxiety and not know where or who to turn to. They are humbled and melting down.
So God bless Ron Artest. God bless those who help. God bless those who seek help - the better alternative to suffering in silence or suicide.
(And I metaphorically have witness the physical and mental traumas of American men in our great and unfortunate Civil War circa 1860s)
And so let me repeat, God bless Ron Artest. God bless those who help. God bless those who turn for help. It beats the alternative to suffering in silence or suicide.
God bless us every one and happy and safe holidays.
General Grant
My Dad who fought the Japanese in WWII in Burma suffered his entire life - as did many others from that great generation - and he returned home, got a job, raised his kids struggling with anxiety every single day. As do victims of crime, auto accidents, rape, those who have kids in trouble, dangerous marriage...
I have witnessed once BIG AND STRONG athletes, policemen, military, every day people suffer from depression and anxiety and not know where or who to turn to. They are humbled and melting down.
So God bless Ron Artest. God bless those who help. God bless those who seek help - the better alternative to suffering in silence or suicide.
(And I metaphorically have witness the physical and mental traumas of American men in our great and unfortunate Civil War circa 1860s)
And so let me repeat, God bless Ron Artest. God bless those who help. God bless those who turn for help. It beats the alternative to suffering in silence or suicide.
God bless us every one and happy and safe holidays.
General Grant
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Wonderful story! I was not aware of Ron's post-career business venture, putting his brother through law school and his being a whiz at Math. Good for him. Loved watching him play as a Johnnie and as a pro; always hated the Lakers but found it tough to root against Ron even as a Laker.
Glad to see how well things are going for him at this point in his life
Glad to see how well things are going for him at this point in his life
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L J S A
Well-known member
[quote="Roamer" post=308873]For me at least Artest was one of my all time favorite SJU players. I will never forgive the Knicks for skipping over him in the draft for Frederic Weiss (sp)!!!![/quote]
If they had drafted him, they wouldn't have had to give $100 million to Allan Houston.
If they had drafted him, they wouldn't have had to give $100 million to Allan Houston.
beast of the east
Active member
[quote="Paultzman" post=308844][URL][URL]https://www.nba.com/article/2018/12/21/ron-artest-discusses-mental-health-journey[/URL][/URL][/quote]
I can't help but feel that the author has oversimplified the burden of living life with behavioral health problems. Unlike other pathologies where diagnosis is definitive based on anatomical and physiological examination and treatments that can be measured via diagnostic and physical examination, behavioral health is diagnosed largely symptomatically and treated either with medication, cognitive therapy, or both. Assessment of progress is generally made by how the patient presents themself. Setbacks, acute episodes, and new co-morbidities exist even for patients undergoing treatment. It is a living nightmare for many patients and their families. Unlike other types of pathologies. A patient suffering from behavioral health issues often cannot advocate for themselves or even make good choices for their own care. Suicide rates are high, even for those receiving treatment because life is so difficult.
While we are coming to grips with mental illness and efforts to stop marginalizing those afflicted, the enormity of the problem is epidemic. It is estimated that 21 million americans are living with behavioral health problems. Only a very small percentage ever receive treatment and only on small percentage of those are hospitalized. By state, investments in treating behavioral health varies wildly - Florida spends 50 cents per capita, Massachusetts $2. It is massively underfunded, considering the enormity of the problem.
This Christmas, many families will struggle with gatherings and trepidation over afflicted relatives who by the mere spectre of family gatherings are reminded of behaviors that they separate from otherwise.
I wish prayer were enough, or money were enough to help the afflicted and their families. We have some wonderful people here like Fuchsia and Panther who have dedicated their lives to treating individuals dealing with mental health issues and those addicted who are iften simply self medicating.
This is such an infectious disease because mental health affects not only the afflicted, but their loved ones. God bless all of you who are struggling or have a loved one who is. I suspect many or most of us.
I can't help but feel that the author has oversimplified the burden of living life with behavioral health problems. Unlike other pathologies where diagnosis is definitive based on anatomical and physiological examination and treatments that can be measured via diagnostic and physical examination, behavioral health is diagnosed largely symptomatically and treated either with medication, cognitive therapy, or both. Assessment of progress is generally made by how the patient presents themself. Setbacks, acute episodes, and new co-morbidities exist even for patients undergoing treatment. It is a living nightmare for many patients and their families. Unlike other types of pathologies. A patient suffering from behavioral health issues often cannot advocate for themselves or even make good choices for their own care. Suicide rates are high, even for those receiving treatment because life is so difficult.
While we are coming to grips with mental illness and efforts to stop marginalizing those afflicted, the enormity of the problem is epidemic. It is estimated that 21 million americans are living with behavioral health problems. Only a very small percentage ever receive treatment and only on small percentage of those are hospitalized. By state, investments in treating behavioral health varies wildly - Florida spends 50 cents per capita, Massachusetts $2. It is massively underfunded, considering the enormity of the problem.
This Christmas, many families will struggle with gatherings and trepidation over afflicted relatives who by the mere spectre of family gatherings are reminded of behaviors that they separate from otherwise.
I wish prayer were enough, or money were enough to help the afflicted and their families. We have some wonderful people here like Fuchsia and Panther who have dedicated their lives to treating individuals dealing with mental health issues and those addicted who are iften simply self medicating.
This is such an infectious disease because mental health affects not only the afflicted, but their loved ones. God bless all of you who are struggling or have a loved one who is. I suspect many or most of us.
[quote="Beast of the East" post=308989][quote="Paultzman" post=308844][URL][URL]https://www.nba.com/article/2018/12/21/ron-artest-discusses-mental-health-journey[/URL][/URL][/quote]
I can't help but feel that the author has oversimplified the burden of living life with behavioral health problems. Unlike other pathologies where diagnosis is definitive based on anatomical and physiological examination and treatments that can be measured via diagnostic and physical examination, behavioral health is diagnosed largely symptomatically and treated either with medication, cognitive therapy, or both. Assessment of progress is generally made by how the patient presents themself. Setbacks, acute episodes, and new co-morbidities exist even for patients undergoing treatment. It is a living nightmare for many patients and their families. Unlike other types of pathologies. A patient suffering from behavioral health issues often cannot advocate for themselves or even make good choices for their own care. Suicide rates are high, even for those receiving treatment because life is so difficult.
While we are coming to grips with mental illness and efforts to stop marginalizing those afflicted, the enormity of the problem is epidemic. It is estimated that 21 million americans are living with behavioral health problems. Only a very small percentage ever receive treatment and only on small percentage of those are hospitalized. By state, investments in treating behavioral health varies wildly - Florida spends 50 cents per capita, Massachusetts $2. It is massively underfunded, considering the enormity of the problem.
This Christmas, many families will struggle with gatherings and trepidation over afflicted relatives who by the mere spectre of family gatherings are reminded of behaviors that they separate from otherwise.
I wish prayer were enough, or money were enough to help the afflicted and their families. We have some wonderful people here like Fuchsia and Panther who have dedicated their lives to treating individuals dealing with mental health issues and those addicted who are iften simply self medicating.
This is such an infectious disease because mental health affects not only the afflicted, but their loved ones. God bless all of you who are struggling or have a loved one who is. I suspect many or most of us.[/quote] I do suffer from this and forums like this make it easier to share. Also serves as a good distraction. My parents were from the old school where this stuff didn't exist in their minds. Oh he will be fine kind of attitude. I had self medicated and turned myself into an alcoholic. I don't even think I realized it cause it was 'normal' to be half in the bag all the time. Amazingly, I was able to start and maintain my own consulting business but I have limits on what I can do. I realize I can't be out socializing anymore. It would always lead me down a dark path. Its good Ron can be open about this. I would never be able to tell my clients what I go through on a daily basis. I could just hear the CEOs.. we pay what to do this and he can't keep his shit together?? Its a battle I keep locked up inside and pray my kids don't have the same.
I can't help but feel that the author has oversimplified the burden of living life with behavioral health problems. Unlike other pathologies where diagnosis is definitive based on anatomical and physiological examination and treatments that can be measured via diagnostic and physical examination, behavioral health is diagnosed largely symptomatically and treated either with medication, cognitive therapy, or both. Assessment of progress is generally made by how the patient presents themself. Setbacks, acute episodes, and new co-morbidities exist even for patients undergoing treatment. It is a living nightmare for many patients and their families. Unlike other types of pathologies. A patient suffering from behavioral health issues often cannot advocate for themselves or even make good choices for their own care. Suicide rates are high, even for those receiving treatment because life is so difficult.
While we are coming to grips with mental illness and efforts to stop marginalizing those afflicted, the enormity of the problem is epidemic. It is estimated that 21 million americans are living with behavioral health problems. Only a very small percentage ever receive treatment and only on small percentage of those are hospitalized. By state, investments in treating behavioral health varies wildly - Florida spends 50 cents per capita, Massachusetts $2. It is massively underfunded, considering the enormity of the problem.
This Christmas, many families will struggle with gatherings and trepidation over afflicted relatives who by the mere spectre of family gatherings are reminded of behaviors that they separate from otherwise.
I wish prayer were enough, or money were enough to help the afflicted and their families. We have some wonderful people here like Fuchsia and Panther who have dedicated their lives to treating individuals dealing with mental health issues and those addicted who are iften simply self medicating.
This is such an infectious disease because mental health affects not only the afflicted, but their loved ones. God bless all of you who are struggling or have a loved one who is. I suspect many or most of us.[/quote] I do suffer from this and forums like this make it easier to share. Also serves as a good distraction. My parents were from the old school where this stuff didn't exist in their minds. Oh he will be fine kind of attitude. I had self medicated and turned myself into an alcoholic. I don't even think I realized it cause it was 'normal' to be half in the bag all the time. Amazingly, I was able to start and maintain my own consulting business but I have limits on what I can do. I realize I can't be out socializing anymore. It would always lead me down a dark path. Its good Ron can be open about this. I would never be able to tell my clients what I go through on a daily basis. I could just hear the CEOs.. we pay what to do this and he can't keep his shit together?? Its a battle I keep locked up inside and pray my kids don't have the same.
Beast, in the tradition of "no good deed goes unpunished " taught to me by my mother, one of the peculiarities of the mental health system today is that those states that did the most in the era of asylums have had the most difficulty in mustering sufficient dollars for care. Carrying old plant eats treatment dollars and NY upstate-downstate political fights don't help.
Josh Gordon of Patriots today;
[attachment=569]91C71322-0CE8-47D2-A050-0E6D0AC82F64.jpeg[/attachment]
Additionally;
https://twitter.com/adamschefter/status/1075772959711608835?s=21
[attachment=569]91C71322-0CE8-47D2-A050-0E6D0AC82F64.jpeg[/attachment]
Additionally;
https://twitter.com/adamschefter/status/1075772959711608835?s=21
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beast of the east
Active member
[quote="SI1996" post=309004][quote="Beast of the East" post=308989][quote="Paultzman" post=308844][URL][URL]https://www.nba.com/article/2018/12/21/ron-artest-discusses-mental-health-journey[/URL][/URL][/quote]
I can't help but feel that the author has oversimplified the burden of living life with behavioral health problems. Unlike other pathologies where diagnosis is definitive based on anatomical and physiological examination and treatments that can be measured via diagnostic and physical examination, behavioral health is diagnosed largely symptomatically and treated either with medication, cognitive therapy, or both. Assessment of progress is generally made by how the patient presents themself. Setbacks, acute episodes, and new co-morbidities exist even for patients undergoing treatment. It is a living nightmare for many patients and their families. Unlike other types of pathologies. A patient suffering from behavioral health issues often cannot advocate for themselves or even make good choices for their own care. Suicide rates are high, even for those receiving treatment because life is so difficult.
While we are coming to grips with mental illness and efforts to stop marginalizing those afflicted, the enormity of the problem is epidemic. It is estimated that 21 million americans are living with behavioral health problems. Only a very small percentage ever receive treatment and only on small percentage of those are hospitalized. By state, investments in treating behavioral health varies wildly - Florida spends 50 cents per capita, Massachusetts $2. It is massively underfunded, considering the enormity of the problem.
This Christmas, many families will struggle with gatherings and trepidation over afflicted relatives who by the mere spectre of family gatherings are reminded of behaviors that they separate from otherwise.
I wish prayer were enough, or money were enough to help the afflicted and their families. We have some wonderful people here like Fuchsia and Panther who have dedicated their lives to treating individuals dealing with mental health issues and those addicted who are iften simply self medicating.
This is such an infectious disease because mental health affects not only the afflicted, but their loved ones. God bless all of you who are struggling or have a loved one who is. I suspect many or most of us.[/quote] I do suffer from this and forums like this make it easier to share. Also serves as a good distraction. My parents were from the old school where this stuff didn't exist in their minds. Oh he will be fine kind of attitude. I had self medicated and turned myself into an alcoholic. I don't even think I realized it cause it was 'normal' to be half in the bag all the time. Amazingly, I was able to start and maintain my own consulting business but I have limits on what I can do. I realize I can't be out socializing anymore. It would always lead me down a dark path. Its good Ron can be open about this. I would never be able to tell my clients what I go through on a daily basis. I could just hear the CEOs.. we pay what to do this and he can't keep his shit together?? Its a battle I keep locked up inside and pray my kids don't have the same.[/quote]
I understand. There are so many facets of behavioral health maladies, including understandable but unnecessary self-shaming over something that is a struggle to control and none of your doing. Patients don't like to hear it, but many conditions will be a lifelong struggle, which doesn't seem fair.
I was up at St. Ignatius retreat house for mass some years ago and I heard one of the most powerful homilies in my life by a priest who had such severe mental illness that at one point he was institutionalized for several years. He had made a remarkable recovery and was able to speak about his with incredible clarity and power.
Sadly, more recently I heard that he had relapsed and took his own life.
To anyone struggling, there is no shame in seeking professional help. We all need help getting through life, and behavioral health is just one area.
SI1996, thanks for having the courage to share this. I'm sure many here will identify with your struggle. Wishing you the best.
I can't help but feel that the author has oversimplified the burden of living life with behavioral health problems. Unlike other pathologies where diagnosis is definitive based on anatomical and physiological examination and treatments that can be measured via diagnostic and physical examination, behavioral health is diagnosed largely symptomatically and treated either with medication, cognitive therapy, or both. Assessment of progress is generally made by how the patient presents themself. Setbacks, acute episodes, and new co-morbidities exist even for patients undergoing treatment. It is a living nightmare for many patients and their families. Unlike other types of pathologies. A patient suffering from behavioral health issues often cannot advocate for themselves or even make good choices for their own care. Suicide rates are high, even for those receiving treatment because life is so difficult.
While we are coming to grips with mental illness and efforts to stop marginalizing those afflicted, the enormity of the problem is epidemic. It is estimated that 21 million americans are living with behavioral health problems. Only a very small percentage ever receive treatment and only on small percentage of those are hospitalized. By state, investments in treating behavioral health varies wildly - Florida spends 50 cents per capita, Massachusetts $2. It is massively underfunded, considering the enormity of the problem.
This Christmas, many families will struggle with gatherings and trepidation over afflicted relatives who by the mere spectre of family gatherings are reminded of behaviors that they separate from otherwise.
I wish prayer were enough, or money were enough to help the afflicted and their families. We have some wonderful people here like Fuchsia and Panther who have dedicated their lives to treating individuals dealing with mental health issues and those addicted who are iften simply self medicating.
This is such an infectious disease because mental health affects not only the afflicted, but their loved ones. God bless all of you who are struggling or have a loved one who is. I suspect many or most of us.[/quote] I do suffer from this and forums like this make it easier to share. Also serves as a good distraction. My parents were from the old school where this stuff didn't exist in their minds. Oh he will be fine kind of attitude. I had self medicated and turned myself into an alcoholic. I don't even think I realized it cause it was 'normal' to be half in the bag all the time. Amazingly, I was able to start and maintain my own consulting business but I have limits on what I can do. I realize I can't be out socializing anymore. It would always lead me down a dark path. Its good Ron can be open about this. I would never be able to tell my clients what I go through on a daily basis. I could just hear the CEOs.. we pay what to do this and he can't keep his shit together?? Its a battle I keep locked up inside and pray my kids don't have the same.[/quote]
I understand. There are so many facets of behavioral health maladies, including understandable but unnecessary self-shaming over something that is a struggle to control and none of your doing. Patients don't like to hear it, but many conditions will be a lifelong struggle, which doesn't seem fair.
I was up at St. Ignatius retreat house for mass some years ago and I heard one of the most powerful homilies in my life by a priest who had such severe mental illness that at one point he was institutionalized for several years. He had made a remarkable recovery and was able to speak about his with incredible clarity and power.
Sadly, more recently I heard that he had relapsed and took his own life.
To anyone struggling, there is no shame in seeking professional help. We all need help getting through life, and behavioral health is just one area.
SI1996, thanks for having the courage to share this. I'm sure many here will identify with your struggle. Wishing you the best.
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[quote="Beast of the East" post=309014][quote="SI1996" post=309004][quote="Beast of the East" post=308989][quote="Paultzman" post=308844][URL][URL]https://www.nba.com/article/2018/12/21/ron-artest-discusses-mental-health-journey[/URL][/URL][/quote]
I can't help but feel that the author has oversimplified the burden of living life with behavioral health problems. Unlike other pathologies where diagnosis is definitive based on anatomical and physiological examination and treatments that can be measured via diagnostic and physical examination, behavioral health is diagnosed largely symptomatically and treated either with medication, cognitive therapy, or both. Assessment of progress is generally made by how the patient presents themself. Setbacks, acute episodes, and new co-morbidities exist even for patients undergoing treatment. It is a living nightmare for many patients and their families. Unlike other types of pathologies. A patient suffering from behavioral health issues often cannot advocate for themselves or even make good choices for their own care. Suicide rates are high, even for those receiving treatment because life is so difficult.
While we are coming to grips with mental illness and efforts to stop marginalizing those afflicted, the enormity of the problem is epidemic. It is estimated that 21 million americans are living with behavioral health problems. Only a very small percentage ever receive treatment and only on small percentage of those are hospitalized. By state, investments in treating behavioral health varies wildly - Florida spends 50 cents per capita, Massachusetts $2. It is massively underfunded, considering the enormity of the problem.
This Christmas, many families will struggle with gatherings and trepidation over afflicted relatives who by the mere spectre of family gatherings are reminded of behaviors that they separate from otherwise.
I wish prayer were enough, or money were enough to help the afflicted and their families. We have some wonderful people here like Fuchsia and Panther who have dedicated their lives to treating individuals dealing with mental health issues and those addicted who are iften simply self medicating.
This is such an infectious disease because mental health affects not only the afflicted, but their loved ones. God bless all of you who are struggling or have a loved one who is. I suspect many or most of us.[/quote] I do suffer from this and forums like this make it easier to share. Also serves as a good distraction. My parents were from the old school where this stuff didn't exist in their minds. Oh he will be fine kind of attitude. I had self medicated and turned myself into an alcoholic. I don't even think I realized it cause it was 'normal' to be half in the bag all the time. Amazingly, I was able to start and maintain my own consulting business but I have limits on what I can do. I realize I can't be out socializing anymore. It would always lead me down a dark path. Its good Ron can be open about this. I would never be able to tell my clients what I go through on a daily basis. I could just hear the CEOs.. we pay what to do this and he can't keep his shit together?? Its a battle I keep locked up inside and pray my kids don't have the same.[/quote]
I understand. There are so many facets of behavioral health maladies, including understandable but unnecessary self-shaming over something that is a struggle to control and none of your doing. Patients don't like to hear it, but many conditions will be a lifelong struggle, which doesn't seem fair.
I was up at St. Ignatius retreat house for mass some years ago and I heard one of the most powerful homilies in my life by a priest who had such severe mental illness that at one point he was institutionalized for several years. He had made a remarkable recovery and was able to speak about his with incredible clarity and power.
Sadly, more recently I heard that he had relapsed and took his own life.
To anyone struggling, there is no shame in seeking professional help. We all need help getting through life, and behavioral health is just one area.
SI1996, thanks for having the courage to share this. I'm sure many here will identify with your struggle. Wishing you the best.[/quote] One of the many things I have learned is that you don't get over it. Even with help, the struggles will always be there. The substances help numb it but its always there. I look at my kids and think I did a horrible disservice to them. Why would you have kids knowing this is a lot of time heredity? I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy and now I rolled the dice with the children I love? Family has always told me.. lock him away. How could I do that? Be so selfish to stop providing for them? Its not an excuse. Its reality. Money provides for my children. Committing myself would be giving up on them so I live the struggle and keep it locked away. God bless anyone going through this and fell free to PM if you are. I have learned a few things about this over my 44 years of life.
I can't help but feel that the author has oversimplified the burden of living life with behavioral health problems. Unlike other pathologies where diagnosis is definitive based on anatomical and physiological examination and treatments that can be measured via diagnostic and physical examination, behavioral health is diagnosed largely symptomatically and treated either with medication, cognitive therapy, or both. Assessment of progress is generally made by how the patient presents themself. Setbacks, acute episodes, and new co-morbidities exist even for patients undergoing treatment. It is a living nightmare for many patients and their families. Unlike other types of pathologies. A patient suffering from behavioral health issues often cannot advocate for themselves or even make good choices for their own care. Suicide rates are high, even for those receiving treatment because life is so difficult.
While we are coming to grips with mental illness and efforts to stop marginalizing those afflicted, the enormity of the problem is epidemic. It is estimated that 21 million americans are living with behavioral health problems. Only a very small percentage ever receive treatment and only on small percentage of those are hospitalized. By state, investments in treating behavioral health varies wildly - Florida spends 50 cents per capita, Massachusetts $2. It is massively underfunded, considering the enormity of the problem.
This Christmas, many families will struggle with gatherings and trepidation over afflicted relatives who by the mere spectre of family gatherings are reminded of behaviors that they separate from otherwise.
I wish prayer were enough, or money were enough to help the afflicted and their families. We have some wonderful people here like Fuchsia and Panther who have dedicated their lives to treating individuals dealing with mental health issues and those addicted who are iften simply self medicating.
This is such an infectious disease because mental health affects not only the afflicted, but their loved ones. God bless all of you who are struggling or have a loved one who is. I suspect many or most of us.[/quote] I do suffer from this and forums like this make it easier to share. Also serves as a good distraction. My parents were from the old school where this stuff didn't exist in their minds. Oh he will be fine kind of attitude. I had self medicated and turned myself into an alcoholic. I don't even think I realized it cause it was 'normal' to be half in the bag all the time. Amazingly, I was able to start and maintain my own consulting business but I have limits on what I can do. I realize I can't be out socializing anymore. It would always lead me down a dark path. Its good Ron can be open about this. I would never be able to tell my clients what I go through on a daily basis. I could just hear the CEOs.. we pay what to do this and he can't keep his shit together?? Its a battle I keep locked up inside and pray my kids don't have the same.[/quote]
I understand. There are so many facets of behavioral health maladies, including understandable but unnecessary self-shaming over something that is a struggle to control and none of your doing. Patients don't like to hear it, but many conditions will be a lifelong struggle, which doesn't seem fair.
I was up at St. Ignatius retreat house for mass some years ago and I heard one of the most powerful homilies in my life by a priest who had such severe mental illness that at one point he was institutionalized for several years. He had made a remarkable recovery and was able to speak about his with incredible clarity and power.
Sadly, more recently I heard that he had relapsed and took his own life.
To anyone struggling, there is no shame in seeking professional help. We all need help getting through life, and behavioral health is just one area.
SI1996, thanks for having the courage to share this. I'm sure many here will identify with your struggle. Wishing you the best.[/quote] One of the many things I have learned is that you don't get over it. Even with help, the struggles will always be there. The substances help numb it but its always there. I look at my kids and think I did a horrible disservice to them. Why would you have kids knowing this is a lot of time heredity? I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy and now I rolled the dice with the children I love? Family has always told me.. lock him away. How could I do that? Be so selfish to stop providing for them? Its not an excuse. Its reality. Money provides for my children. Committing myself would be giving up on them so I live the struggle and keep it locked away. God bless anyone going through this and fell free to PM if you are. I have learned a few things about this over my 44 years of life.