Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Actor and comedian Jason Sudeikis, who stars as the titular soccer coach in the TV series “Ted Lasso,” paid a visit to the White House on Monday — along with the cast of the hit show — to encourage people to check it out with their friends, family and colleagues. “Ask how they’re doing and listen sincerely,” about mental health.
Comedian Jason Sudeikis, who plays the title character — an American coaching a soccer team in London — and other cast members met with President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden to talk about how mental health contributes to overall well-being.
Mental health and caring for each other is a theme of the show, Sudeikis told reporters from behind a lectern in the White House briefing room, as he helped press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre open her daily briefing. The Emmy-winning, beloved show just launched its third season on Apple TV+.
“Although it’s easier said than done, we also need to know that we shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help ourselves,” says Sudeikis. “It takes a lot, especially when it’s something that has such a negative stigma attached to it, like mental health, and it doesn’t need to be that way.
“And if you can seek that help from a professional, fantastic,” she continued. “If it is to be a loved one, equally well, in many ways.”
Mental health is part of Biden’s bipartisan “unity agenda.” He urged lawmakers to direct more resources toward fighting what some say is a crisis. The administration also increased funding to bolster a new 988 suicide and crisis line and put more mental-health professionals in schools.
Sudeikis says there should be no stigma attached to reaching out for help because everyone knows someone who has needed someone to lean on, or that person themselves.
“No matter who you are, no matter where you live, no matter who you voted for, we all probably, I guess, we all know someone who has actually known or been someone who has struggled, it feels isolating. done, that’s what worries me, who felt alone,” he said.
“It’s actually one of the many things, believe it or not, that we all have in common as human beings,” Sudeikis continued. “It means it’s something we can all do, you know, and talk to each other when we feel that way or when we recognize that someone feels that way.”
He issued a special appeal to the residents of the nation’s capital.
“I know a lot of people in this town don’t always agree, right, and don’t always seem to hear, see, hear,” Sudeikis said. “But I really believe that we should all do our best to take care of each other. That’s my own personal belief. I think that’s something everyone here on stage believes.”
After his remarks at the White House briefing, Sudeikis fielded a question — albeit from a plant in the press corps, British actor James Lance, who plays The Independent sports columnist Trent Crim on “Ted Lasso.”
“How do you feel about Kansas City being named as one of the host cities for the 2026 World Cup,” Lance asked. Sudeikis and Ted Lasso are both from Kansas City. (Kansas City was actually selected as the host city for the World Cup.)
Sudeikis quipped, “I was here, hoping for a softball,” then added, “You know what? I’m so excited, to be honest. Kansas City is going to be one of these teams. I mean, I love this city.” “I’m really concerned that once we get all these people from all over the world to come to Kansas City and see our city, eat our food, meet our people, you’re going to get, you know, a lot of people who want to move away. No.”
Spotted: Trent Crim, The Independent https://t.co/y9on4zmwJ7 pic.twitter.com/gbhazM7DCs
— Ed O’Keefe (@edokeefe) March 20, 2023
According to the White House, the Bidens have seen some of “Ted Lasso” and are familiar with its messages of hope and kindness.
Joining Sudeikis at the daily briefing were cast members Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt and Tohib Zimoh.
Sudeikis and his cast members are the latest entertainers to visit the White House and associate themselves with raising awareness about the Democratic president and first lady.
Singer Olivia Rodrigo visited during the pandemic to encourage young people like herself to get vaccinated against COVID-19. BTS, the popular Korean boy band, has helped promote Asian inclusion and battle bias against Asian Americans.
Actor Matthew McConaughey made an emotional plea for stricter gun laws after 19 children and two teachers were killed in a shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, last year.
Singer/actress Mary J. Blige and Selena Gomez attended separate events with Jill Biden focusing on cancer awareness and youth mental health, respectively.