Exclusive: On Stage with Mariel Hemingway & Mädchen Amick
Former boxer Mia St. John won 49 fights during her pro career. She has held World Boxing Council (WBC) and International Female Boxers Association (IFBA) belts while prizefighting. And while she may not be trading punches in the ring anymore, the champion is still battling as she fights to raise awareness about mental health issues.
Last night, the Southern California activist joined actresses and fellow mental health advocates Mariel Hemingway (her grandfather is Ernest Hemingway) and Mädchen Amick (known for “Riverdale” and “Twin Peaks”) on stage at the WE RISE LA event held in downtown Los Angeles.
This powerful trio opened their hearts to the audience while speaking about their own personal experiences in trying to combat mental illness in their families. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and this May 23 conversation “Addressing Serious Mental Illness” featured an hour-long discussion on how to recognize the symptoms, seek professional help, how to stop the stigma of mental illness and so much more.
WE RISE LA is a pop-up immersive experience celebrating diversity and collective power in the surrounding cities. Thursday’s seminar had a full house as the ladies shined on the Main Hall Stage. Housed in a new venue this year, the roomy soundstage had plenty seats plus cushions for those who wanted to relax on the floor. There was also an onsite Art Gallery, Community Hub, Breathing Room, Courtyard Patio, and an Art Lab for making crafts.
Under the spotlight, the three women revealed the pain behind their smiles. At first glance, these vibrant ladies all look like they have perfect lives with fame, fortune and adoration. Pretty and poised, sleek and slim, smart and funny, each extremely successful in their own right But behind their polished and public personas is a dark side. There is heartache and heartbreak within their souls. Lurking behind their beautiful eyes is a constant nagging pain that only they know all too well.
Revealing their stories in front of spectators that hung on their every word, these courageous beings spoke of their mental health crises and tragedies that have occurred in their lives.
Mia’s son, the talented artist Julian St. John, committed suicide in November 2014. Suffering from schizophrenic and addicted to meth, his young life was taken too soon. His father and Mia’s ex-husband Kristoff St. John passed away in February of this year. Mia explained that the beloved soap opera star was bipolar and an alcoholic (they first met in an AA meeting). As the boxing star spoke of these two heartbreaking tragedies, I could hear some in the crowd gasp. The fact that she was standing before them and taking a strong stance to help others immediately endeared herself to the audience. And she had just got back to LA having appeared on the TODAY Show the day before!
Actress Mädchen Amick spoke of her son’s Sylvester Amick-Alexis downward spiral with bipolar and how her family coped after hearing the diagnosis. And moderator Mariel Hemingway is no stranger to severe mental illness as well. Her legendary grandfather, Ernest Hemingway, committed suicide, Mariel’s sister model/actress Margaux also committed suicide in 1996 and their older sister Muffet has bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
And at the mic, Mia also disclosed she has faced anxiety disorders or her own with OCD, alcoholism, eating disorders and more.
This knockout trio chose to be transparent in the hopes of bringing awareness to the stigma and discrimination against those called “crazy,” those suffering from depression, mental illness, etc. They all spoke from the heart, their words and recollections strong and powerful, resonating throughout the crowd.
When I first heard of this talk about mental illness and knowing of St. John’s tragedies, I braced myself for an extremely sad panel readying for the tears to flow, tissue ready at hand. And while their stories are painful to hear, these brave warriors infused so much hope, humor and compassion during their seminar which made for a positive, informative, and hopeful discussion that was both empowering and inspirational.
They spoke of their family’s mental issues and breakdowns while not sugar-coating any of the shocking details. They are choosing to reach out and connect with strangers, choosing to be transparent. There’s that saying “If just one person is helped…” and in their cases, Mia, Mariel and Mädchen are helping countless people in facing their issues and perhaps even saving lives in the future. They are helping others who may feel helpless and alone.
It was a riveting session followed by an audience Q&A. Hands shot up when it was time for questions. I’ve been to many Q&A events, but last night’s panel stood out to me. The questions were impassioned, some desperate, some joyous, some filled with pleas of how to help their loved ones.
There was a group of of young Latino psychiatrists who wanted to know what more they could do to help; there was a Caucasian rocker mom who had reached the breaking point with her son who’s suffering from mental health issues. A millennial girl proudly took the microphone to say she is successfully fighting her bipolar diagnosis and encouraged others to keep fighting the battle; and an African-American woman also stood out for expressing the fact she was formerly homeless and now thriving–and specifically thanked Mia for her words of wisdom through social media. All had different backgrounds, all diverse. But all shared the same message: Seek Help. Find Resources. Don’t Give Up.
The atmosphere in the arena was fully charged with positive vibes and ended on an upbeat note. There wasn’t enough time to get to everyone as their was another event following this panel, but the ladies took time to meet the guests after their event.
It was a very special evening and a true honor to have witnessed this powerful talk.
I caught up with Mia after the onstage panel. She introduced me to a real success story–her friend Shane Van Peebles. Once homeless, the young man is now doing great things in the community and both he and Mia are involved with the Step Up on Second program (helping those battle addiction, homelessness and mental illness). Mia also has her own nonprofit foundation El Saber Es Poder (Knowledge is Power).
The boxing champ continues to fight the good fight through her activism, her foundation and personal appearances around the globe. But the road has been rocky. After her ex-husband died, St. John said she was twice placed in “5150” psychiatric holds and also lost her 30-year sobriety as she tried to drown out the pain and shock with booze. Every day is a battle she says. But she is buoyed by her late mother’s values; she spoke of how her mom pushed, encouraged and believed in her so Mia carries on for her own daughter, Paris St. John.
Taking a strong stance and firing back against mental illness, Mia St. John is proving she is a true champion.
Photos by Michele Chong
