Anyone remember the sensation Mike Wallace (not Rusty’s brother, but the ‘60 Minutes’ anchor) caused when he admitted he suffered from depression? It seemed to shock people that someone as astute and intelligent as Mike could have any ‘mental problems’.

As immediate and extended family members of mine suffer with depression and other mental health disorders, I can tell you that I have bittersweet feelings when famous people come forth and admit to these sorts of problems. I am sorry for them, for I know personally how living with mental health disorders, either mine or those of a family member, can affect your life. But I am also proud of them, and, yes, even happy, because when someone well-known admits something like this, people pay attention.

I could holler from the mountaintops about Tourette Syndrome awareness till I’m hoarse and exhausted (and believe me I have, and I have been). But one morning Montel Williams does a show on it, and thousands of people have been educated.

When Hermie Sadler first came forward to discuss his daughter’s autism, my heart ached for him. His eyes would well with tears as he spoke, as mine would. But I was also overjoyed to hear him discuss it, and see that Autism ribbon on his car. And see the 800 number for the Autism Society scrolled across the screen during a NASCAR race (1-800-3AUTISM).

That was how I first heard of Artie Kempner, Director of Fox Sports. I heard that he had a son with autism, and was doing a lot of public outreach for autism awareness. I was so proud of Hermie and Artie for their efforts.