He may not have impressed the judges on the dance floor on this season of Dancing with the Stars, but Metta World Peace (formerly Ron Artest) is impressing now with a large donation to a variety of mental health causes. Lakers player Metta, formerly a known as basketball’s #1 villain for his violent brawls on the basketball court, has lately been donating a lot of money to causes close to his heart; he has pledged to give away the more than $500,000 he raised when he raffled off his 2010 Lakers championship ring.

In this latest round of donations, he gave $285,000 to 6 organizations across the country. Metta World Peace has been open about his belief in the importance of mental health care, maintaining that there is no shame in getting the help one needs. "When I was a kid, I did see a counselor," he said. "My mom helped me out, she realized I was having problems when I was 13 years old. She realized I was going through a lot. We have a big problem right here in America with mental health, from little boys not understanding what it takes to be a good dad or be a good older brother or a role model -- to violence."

This kind of a commitment to mental health from a celebrity is important not just for the money it brings to the cause—celebrities talking openly about mental health issues is a huge step forward, attracting media attention, reducing stigma, and providing strong role models for other struggling with mental health problems.

Read more: http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2011/09/metta-world-peace-donat...