Maia Campbell’s Family Speaks Out to Essence.com

September 12, 2009

Maia Campbell’s Family Speaks Out to Essence.com

The family of former “In The House” co-star Maia Campbell released a letter to Essence Magazine Friday in regards to a recent video showing an incoherent and distressed Campbell. The video appeared on various internet gossip blogs and even became a trending topic on Twitter. Now the family wants to have their say on the crisis unfolding before them, rehashing Maia’s history of mental illness and thanking those who have sent prayers out to their loved one.

More after the jump.

As a family, we have been struggling with Maia in her illness for quite some time. We continue to hold fast to our faith and hope that some day she will realize that healing will begin when she decides to reach out and accept the help and treatment that have been offered to her. We all have challenges in life that we must face, but when compound problems such as mental illness and substance abuse are prevalent, it can appear that there is no way out. However, our sustaining faith and trust in God compels us to believe differently. We strongly believe that Maia will be healed.

We also know that Maia’s mother, the late Bebe Moore Campbell, who devoted much of her later years in life to mental health awareness and education, along with her family members and friends would welcome your prayers and support for Maia’s sustained recovery. In addition, we urge your support for efforts to diagnose and treat mental illness in our community.

We ask that you not only pray for Maia’s wellness, but also commit to understanding this insidious disease, which is devastating our loved ones and community. Help erase the “stigma” of mental illness, which is a very serious barrier to treatment, so that we can help those with the disease to live wholesome lives. Call for more treatment options and prevention strategies, have compassion for those stricken with this illness, and help guide those who have been unable to find their way to appropriate treatment. Additionally, support those families who are struggling to cope with loved ones with the disease because mental illness affects the entire family.

Read the rest of the letter here.

daniellebelton

Uncategorized

4 responses to “Maia Campbell’s Family Speaks Out to Essence.com”

Unknown Soldier

September 13, 2009

This is just more evidence that Hollywood drives people to do things they wouldn’t do under normal circumstances. I can only hope that more people will wake up and realize that Hollywood glitters, but it isn’t gold.Keep up the good work Snob

Reply
BluTopaz

September 13, 2009

So glad to read these words from her family, I was so concerned no one would ever see Maia again. This is why the Internet is so wonderful, it has raised awareness about this illness. Wishing Maia and her family the best.

Reply
malted_tea

September 13, 2009

There’s only a few places I go in the blogosphere and this is the only other place where I’ve seen this story mentioned. The upside to this unfolding issue with Ms. Campbell is that mental health issues get brought to the forefront. Between this and homosexuality, I’m not sure which is more taboo when it comes to a discussion topic. As a community, need to get over ourselves and speak about both issues in a calm, caring and compassionate way.

Reply
Sabrina

September 14, 2009

As someone whose family has been touched by mental illness I was immediately really terrified at the very fact that someone would exploit Maia in this way. Not shocked just terrified. Women who are mentally ill are especially vulnerable because of the tendency to attract losers like the ones that filmed her and posted her image for all the world to see.My brother was diagnosed with bipolar disorder over 15 years ago. I must say as scary as it was for me I know it was even scarier for him. Thanks to my ride or die mom I learned not to be afraid or ashamed to share what we were going through with my friends. And the outpouring of love affection and generosity couldn’t be more wonderful. Thankfully he chose to take his medicine. Even though he has no recollection of any of his manic episodes he trusted us enough to know that we were there for him and wanted him to get better. And he is. Today he is a budding chef and loving father. I am so proud of him. The hardest part of this illness for anyone suffering schizophrenia or bipolar disorder is that its not something you can put your finger on as a sufferer. When you don’t believe your ill you don’t want to take your meds. It is a choice that some simply make.I am praying hard and fast that Maia comes through this.

Reply