In early 2009, actor Joe Pantoliano (aka Joey Pants) launched his provocative
documentary called “No Kidding, Me Too” to shed a bright light on the
stigma and shame that surrounds mental illness. He wants people to know that if
you accept your diagnosis there’s a better than 80% chance of recovery. He
says, “mental illness won’t kill you, but the shame and stigma will.” The film
documents the lives of ordinary individuals who, empowered by their diagnoses,
are doing their part to remove the stigma associated with mental health.
No Kidding, Me Too! uses humor and personal stories – including Joey’s
own struggle with depression – to give viewers an honest portrayal of what life
is like living with mental health disorders. In addition to highlighting the
lives of individuals such as a world-famous doctor struggling with drug and
alcohol addiction; an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran handling a traumatic
brain injury and severe Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; and a young woman living
with clinical depression, the documentary also includes a look into the life of
the narrator and director, Pantoliano himself. Pantoliano shares what it was
like to grow up with a mother whose un-diagnosed illness would today be
described as bipolar disorder and his recent discovery of his own clinical
depression. Humor is used throughout the film to demonstrate how it can be used
to offset and cope with stigma.
The film was made possible by charitable donations to Pantoliano’s non-profit
organization No Kidding, Me Too!
(www.nkm2.org). Founded in 2008, NKM2 is a celebrity based mental
health advocacy organization with the goal of informing Americans about mental
illness in all forms. Pantoliano and others hope to tear down the stigma
attached to mental illness so that when people disclose their heath issues,
they will know and feel the support of millions of others like them who can
say, “No Kidding, Me Too!”
Pantoliano has taken his powerful message of NKM2 to an important new audience,
U.S. soldiers in Iraq. The inaugural “Stomp the Stigma Tour” traveled to Iraq
and Kuwait from August 31 through September 9, 2009. Jointly created, developed
and coordinated by NKM2 and Pro Sports MVP, a sports and celebrity marketing
firm, the tour participants also included Dr. Robert Irvin, a Harvard
psychiatrist from McLean Hospital, and actress Lisa Jay.
The Stomp the Stigma Tour was designed to assist military personnel serving
abroad with removing the specific stigma many face in dealing with
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. The 10-day tour included two seminars a day with
a screening of the “No Kidding, Me Too!” documentary. Following the
film, valuable information regarding PTSD, and candid conversations with the
military audience took place. In addition, the materials available to
participating soldiers directed them to resources helpful in diagnosing and
treating mental health disorders.