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In April, Ms. Cronkite joined academy award-winning actor Rod Steiger for "Coping With the Stigma of Mental Illness," the last program of this year's "Conversations at The Carter Center" series. Both shared candid accounts of their battles--and victories--with clinical depression. Hosted by Rosalynn Carter and moderated by Carter Center Mental Health Program Director John Gates, the discussion helped educate the public about the myths of mental illnesses and strides that have been made in diagnosis and treatment.

To further that cause, a videotape of the program will be distributed to civic organizations and mental health associations nationwide this summer. Actress Joanne Woodward, a member of The Carter Center's National Advisory Council on Mental Illness, narrates the 27-minute video, which premiered to positive reviews at the National Mental Health Association's annual meeting in June.

For more than 20 years, Mrs. Carter has been a leading advocate on behalf of people with mental illnesses. Although treatments and services have improved, many people are still ashamed to talk about their condition.

"Mental illnesses can be diagnosed and treated much like diabetes or heart disease," said Mrs. Carter, who chairs The Carter Center's Mental Health Task Force. "There is no reason for anyone with a mental illness to be ashamed. Yet the stigma is so pervasive. We must let the world know that most people with mental illnesses can live at home, hold jobs, and function as contributing members of society."

Copies of the video "Coping With the Stigma of Mental Illness" are available to the general public for $7 each. To order the video, contact the Mental Health Program, The Carter Center, One Copenhill, 453 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta, Ga. 30307, (404) 420-5165.

Five Things You Can Do to Fight The Stigma Of Mental Illness

• Avoid using discriminatory slang such as "crazy," "nuts," or "wacko" to describe people or situations.
• Write to editors of books, newspapers, or magazines that include expressions or descriptions that may demean someone suffering from a mental illness.
• Call television and radio stations if a program includes inappropriate references or descriptions of people afflicted with mental illnesses.
• Point out to store managers displays that use discriminatory advertising.
• Realize that people with mental illnesses usually are not dangerous or violent. More often they are victims, not perpetrators, of crime.