The BBC today has an interesting article by Mark Brown of British mental health magazine One in Four: Do famous role models help or hinder? The context is that in Britain, charities and other advocates for people with mental illness have become fond of pointing to famous people, past and present, who suffered from a psychiatric disorder. The hope is that highlighting these 'role models' will fight stigma and provide hope. Winston Churchill and Steven Fry are especially popular in this regard. But, as Brown argues, these well-intentioned campaigns may not be so helpful -
"Look," they say. "Here is a person who has achieved so much. Do not lose heart, you too can overcome your disability if you follow their example." ...but where the inspirational figure is selected for us, and the gap between their life and ours is too great, the effect is not one of encouragement but ...
