How Patty Duke Impacted Son Sean Astin’s Perception of Mental Health
By Tess Farrand, Associate Content Editor
Christian actor Sean Astin (RUDY, LORD OF THE RINGS) recently opened up about how his mother, Patty Duke, impacted his views on mental health.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Astin got candid about Duke’s public battle with bipolar disorder.
“The pain that my family endured because we were living with someone with a mental health condition actually has become an important ingredient to my being able to offer support to other people,” said Astin.
PEOPLE reported, “Duke first shared her bipolar diagnosis with the world in her 1987 memoir, Call Me Anna, and worked to raise awareness for mental health until her death.”
Duke (THE PATTY DUKE SHOW) won one Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards
Duke was also a passionate mental health advocate.
Fox News said, “Over the years, she candidly wrote about her experience, including in a 1992 memoir “A Brilliant Madness: Living with Manic-Depressive Illness.”
Duke died in 2016 of a a ruptured intestine.
Her tireless work left an impact on her son, who has appeared in multiple movies with faith and family content.
Astin was nominated for a Grace Prize® at the 2016 Movieguide® Awards for his role in WOODLAWN. The actor uses his faith to talk about mental health with his family.
“We share our feelings. If someone has an issue, there’s no judgment,” said Astin. “These conversations don’t have to be laden with guilt or shame or fear or judgment.”
Astin will participate in the Well Beings Town Hall campaign on PBS on July 14 in order to bring awareness to youth and metal health.
“Having dreams is what makes life tolerable.”
David Anspaugh-Director
Angelo Pizzo-Writer
Cary Woods
Rob Fried-Producers
Kevin Mischer-Execand of course, Rudy
Thank you all for picking me & allowing me to live my dream and fulfill my destiny.https://t.co/0TFDEISozH
— Sean Astin (@SeanAstin) October 13, 2019
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