Elliot, M. (2006). Spread a lot of Happiness. Mental Health Today. Retrieved from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.eztest.ocls.ca/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1& sid=deb92e65-4c9a-4993-a79f eb7c8b513f4d%40sessionmgr4002&hid= 4102
Maggie Elliot, a professional writer and mental health analysis, interviews with a self-proclaimed Scottish clown doctor, Margaret McCathie. The article discusses McCathie’s childhood, overcoming her mental illness though her journey to becoming a clown doctor. McCathie felt inspired by the works of Robin Williams in his performance of ‘Patch Adams’. She attended the real Dr. Patch Adam’s workshop in Scotland where he personally invited her to join him on tour at various hospitals around the world. McCathie now runs laughter therapy workshops with a critical influence of mental health in Scotland. This article is effective because it also highlights the similarities between Robin Williams’ mental illness with McCathie’s and their …show more content…
The movie is contrasted to the real life of Dr. Adams Patch Hunter. In reality, Adams lives a very modest life in a small town house; very different to the impression the movie gives the audience, implying that he becomes ‘rich and famous’. The author’s claim that Adams tries to suppress the publicity from the film, as he does not agree with the way Robin Williams portrays him. However, this article also considers the positive outcomes of the film. Universal Pictures donated $500,000 to Adams Gesundheit! Institute where he treats patients at a low cost. The article discusses Adam’s personal mental illness and his journey to recovery by coming to the realization of his mission to help others. This article effectively addresses the reality of Adam’s work beyond the film, and how he is changing patient therapy. The difficulties Adams went though in his life are what gives him the stigma to be a clown