President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden hosted the cast of the TV series “Ted Lasso” at the White House on Monday to promote mental health and well-being.
What You Need To Know
- Soccer coach Ted Lasso went to the White House Monday — in the form of Emmy-winning actor Jason Sudeikis
- President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden hosted Sudeikis and the cast of the feel-good Apple TV+ series “Ted Lasso” on Monday to promote mental health and well-being
- The third season of the series began streaming last week
- Biden has previously called on lawmakers in both parties to expand resources to fight the “mental health crisis” in the nation as part of his “unity agenda”
Jason Sudeikis, who plays the title character — an American coaching a soccer team in London — and other members of the cast were set to meet with the Bidens “to discuss the importance of addressing your mental health to promote overall wellbeing,” the White House said. The third season of the Emmy-winning, feel-good Apple TV+ series began streaming last week.
“No matter who you are, no matter where you live, no matter who you voted for, we all probably, I assume, we all know someone who has — or have been that someone ourselves, actually — that’s struggled, that’s felt isolated, that felt anxious, that has felt alone,” Sudeikis said at the White House press briefing Monday, just before meeting with the president. “We encourage everyone — and this is a big theme of the show — is to check in with, you know, your neighbor, your coworker, your friends, your family and ask how they’re doing and listen.
“While it’s easier said than done, we also have to know that we shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help ourselves,” the actor added.
A White House official said the Bidens had seen some of the show and are familiar with its “message of positivity, hope, kindness, and empathy.” Cast members expected to be in attendence include: Hannah Waddingham, Jeremy Swift, Phil Dunster, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, Toheeb Jimoh, Cristo Fernandez, Kola Bokinni, Billy Harris, and James Lance.
Biden has previously called on lawmakers in both parties to expand resources to fight the “mental health crisis” in the nation as part of his “unity agenda.” His administration has surged funding to bolster the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and expand school-based mental health professionals.
“I know in this town, a lot of folks don’t always agree,” Sudeikis said. “But I truly believe we should all do our best to help take care of each other.”
