DUKE: Her fight lives on

In May of 2008, I had the privilege of attending a news conference held at the Vera French Community Mental Health Center in Davenport, Iowa, with Patty Duke, who spoke on the subject of mental illness.

Throughout her impressive acting career, which spanned more than 55 years and included winning an Oscar, Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards and the respect and admiration of the entertainment industry and fans worldwide (including myself), Patty Duke also became a strong and courageous spokesperson and advocate in the fight against mental illness, in addition to other important social and humanistic issues.

Patty Duke first suffered a breakdown at age 19, after she completed the successful television series, “The Patty Duke Show.” At age 35, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, formerly identified as manic depression.

When speaking in the Quad Cities in 2008, Patty Duke compassionately and strongly urged people who thought they might be mentally ill to seek help from places such as Vera French.

There is no shame in seeking help for a mental health condition. Mental illness continues to inflict pain and suffering on millions of people nationwide. The shame, often sadness and even tragedy, occurs when people do not seek help before it becomes too late.

Let us continue to honor the late Patty Duke’s vitally important fight against mental illness by further supporting research, hospitals and organizations, such as Vera French, that assist in the treatment of this harmful disease worldwide.

MICHAEL THOMAS MASTERS

Bettendorf, Iowa