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As a performer, Paul Scheer has spent much of his career in the world of comedy and humor.
The actor, writer and director has had roles on “The League” (FX/FXX), “Black Monday” (Showtime), Veep (HBO Max) and “Fresh Off the Boat (“ABC”) and hosts the podcast “Unspooled.” .” I remember him well for his role on the ineffective and bureaucratic Good Place Committee in several episodes of one of my favorite shows, “The Good Place” (NBC).
The role that recently brought Scheer to Oklahoma to film a commercial involves a subject that’s anything but funny: mental health. He is working with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health’s Substance Abuse Services on its campaign to promote the Oklahoma Mental Health Lifeline, 988, and was in the area to film a public service announcement which will air during the Super Bowl early next year.
Scheer said he loved his time in Oklahoma City and wanted to be here because of the importance of this work and this message.
“I can create a lot of fun stuff, I can create stuff that can move people, make them laugh, but very rarely do I get the opportunity to create something that can actually save lives,” Scheer said in a previous interview. week in Oklahoma City. “For me, it was an opportunity to get to work in a really progressive way to raise awareness about mental health. »
He and his wife, June Diane Raphael (who played Grace’s daughter Brianna Hanson on “Grace and Frankie”), star in the Oklahoma commercial that focuses on the theme of “Fake Happy” and the various scenarios in which people pretend everything is fine when it really isn’t. The announcement encourages people experiencing mental health issues to call or text 9-8-8 at any time to access support and services.
Scheer praised Oklahoma’s forward-thinking efforts in implementing 988 Oklahoma.
“We have 911. It’s amazing for emergencies, but this is for your personal emergencies. This is not a suicide hotline. This is a mental health lifeline,” Scheer said.
More than 55,000 people sought help through the 988 mental health line over the 18 months, a press release said. The line is open to all Oklahomans and calling it will connect callers to resources in their area, whether they are in crisis or need to access services. When they call, a qualified lifeline specialist will answer questions, stabilize the situation, or dispatch a crisis team if necessary.
Last year, the state Department of Mental Health saw an increase in its use when it aired its 988 ad featuring Oklahoma native actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth during the Super Bowl, noted department officials.
The 988 line is a national line, but Oklahoma’s efforts in this area have been so comprehensive that the state is consulting with others on how we have implemented it, noted Scheer and Heath Hayes, the deputy commissioner of the department.
“In Oklahoma, we are committed to making sure everyone knows about 988,” Hayes said.
To find out more, visit 988oklahoma.com.
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