ESPN

I wanted to share my feature for ESPNLA.com about Ron Artest and the changes made in his life. The transformation of Ron's image never ceases to amaze me, and it's testament to the power of soul searching.

We talked for a while about what caused the mistakes in his past: Ego. Bad lifestyle choices. Selfishness. Immaturity. A desire to cling to his roots at all costs. Admitting the need for help and sticking with therapy has changed Artest's life, which is why he's become so involved with the mental health industry. Having lived through the struggle, he knows firsthand the importance of creating avenues for assistance, especially for young people. There is also perspective from Lamar Odom, Chuck Person, Danny Granger and David Stern.

Artest still views himself as an incomplete project, a man in "transition." The direction at the moment, however, couldn't be better.

Below is an excerpt:

"Just being able to see every situation clearly," says Artest of the benefits of therapy. "I'm not as quick to judge somebody. I'm not always as quick to say I'm right about something. I criticize myself a lot or just look at things from all angles. If something's going wrong or something I can't deal with, I'm trying to figure out a way where I can deal with it relaxed."

"The most stable person in the world needs someone to talk to," Odom says. "It's really happens a lot more than what people think, probably, as far as someone needing someone to talk to. It's very normal. The everyday person sometimes is not willing to admit it. It was good that he got some help. We all need to know what makes us tick."

That doesn't necessarily make going public any easier.

"I talked about it three years ago," Artest says. "I told people I was going through therapy and some people was like, 'What?' I was weird. It caught people off-guard. But I kinda knew, like, I knew people were gonna call me crazy, but I kind of thought that if I tell people about this, it can have an impact on certain people."

Last season, when he admitted to drinking Hennessy at halftime during his days as a Chicago Bull, most people treated it like another outrageous tale from Ron-Ron and missed his intention, which was to bring his mistake to light.

"I was very upset about that," Artest says. But he kept talking, thanking his therapist during the postgame news conference after the Lakers won the title, and appearing alongside Rep. Grace Napolitano to advocate for H.R. 2531, a measure to "provide access to school-based comprehensive mental health programs."

The more he speaks out for those without a voice, the more people can put a face to their own issues. The solidarity works in reverse, too. The more Artest talks about his own issues, the less self-conscious he becomes about having them.

In his own words, it makes him feel "normal."

"Because I'm not the only one," Artest explains. "The same way I don't want that kid [helped through his advocacy] to feel lonely, I know I'm not lonely in this problem. [Before] I felt like I was the only one going through what I was going through, but I'm not. It's like all those groups, those movements, and they feel like they're not alone. Whether it's race, or whether it's gender, or whether it's sexuality, everybody doesn't want to feel alone, you know?"

Christmas Day is always about presents, but the ante has been upped in NBA circles. Ron Artest recently announced X-Mas as the day his championship ring will officially get raffled for charity. As I mentioned after Ron graced ESPNLA.com On Air's radio waves and explained his thought process, the dude's heart is clearly in a warm place. I also expressed hope he'd change his mind, since it's so easy to picture "seller's remorse" at some point down the road. But with Ron remaining steadfast in this pledge, a Land O' Lakers reader offers a terrific compromise:

From "Shannon" in Pasadena:

"Whoever wins the ring should graciously give it back to Ron Artest. That would be the noble thing to do. The ultimate example of good mental health, kindness and charity."

Now there's a plan I can get behind.

Clearly, Artest takes his role as a mental health advocate seriously, and between his public lobbying and his infamous post-game shout out, he's likely making a difference in erasing the stigma associated with seeking therapy or counseling. That he would forgo his championship ring -- the ultimate symbol of achievement in his field, a prize keeping him so focused last season -- in order to raise money and awareness for this issue only amplifies his commitment.

That's also exactly why the lucky winner turning around and re-gifting the jewelry to its original owner would be the perfectly fitting gesture.

Just as Ron's willingness to part with the ring is a reflection of his realization basketball, fame and life is about something bigger than himself, returning the ring back to the guy who actually earned it is a continuation of that spirit. Look, I'd be stoked out of my skull to have a Lakers championship ring on display in my house. In my heart, I'm a Laker fan first and a Lakers blogger second.

But at the end of the day, this raffle isn't about the ring, but goodness. In lending his name to this cause and opening up about his own struggles, Artest has left himself vulnerable in a way many people, public or private, often aren't willing to risk. There would be no better way to let Artest know his efforts are appreciated than matching his generosity.

Like Shannon eloquently noted, it would be the ultimate example of good mental health, kindness and charity.

On a related note, be sure to check out Shelley Smith's article about Artest, along with the accompanying interview. Great stuff.

Okay, the actual story isn't nearly as titillating as the headline, but I just couldn't resist.

In reality, Ron Artest is at the center of a wholesome, dignified event in Las Vegas on the eve of Wednesday's preseason contest against the Sacramento Kings. The increasingly civic-minded forward will receive the key to the city in recognition of his recent work as a mental health advocate. Specifically, he's being honored for his work with Xcel University, a program he established to help community centers and schools identify high-risk students and provide incentives for a more positive lifestyle.

This effort comes on the heels of lobbying on behalf of improved mental health facilities in schools. As he explained to us in an ESPNLA.com On Air interview, Artest strongly believes treating issues at a young age is critical towards helping people with various mental health issues. Ron-Ron's persistent work in this area hasn't gone unnoticed, and appears to be gaining steam in making a mark.

Oh, and for those who love to celebrate holidays, Oct. 12 is now Ron Artest Day in Vegas! No word yet whether Sin City's government employees will have this day off in 2011, but if I had a vote, there would be no mail delivered in the 702 on R.A.D.

While clearly proud, Artest was almost sheepish as he explained how he became the man of the hour. "I was totally surprised. I've been doing a lot of charity things, and I think they kind of like it," he noted with a shrug. "Trying to just give back, and it's kind of catching on."

His first instinct upon being gifted the key was to attempt convincing the brain trusts instead honor Derek Fisher or Kobe Bryant, both dudes he felt more worthy of accolades. But these protests fell on deaf ears, and unlike his decision to auction off his championship ring for charity, Artest will in fact hang onto his latest piece of memorabilia.

"No, I don't think I'm gonna auction off that key," explained Artest. "I know I can win another ring, but I don't think I can get another key."

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Need I really explain why we were excited about this particular guest?

Last weekend, the colorful small forward was kind enough to pay ESPNLA.com On Air a visit. Some of the conversation touched on serious issues, like his efforts to raise awareness of mental health issues, from the need for affordable, readily available counseling to the removal of stigma. Some of the conversation wasn't terribly serious at all, like Artest's fresh inspiration to become a jock strap entrepreneur. (We may be at least partially responsible for the nickname he's using this week.) But it was always interesting, typically the case whenever Artest shares his thoughts. Here are some of the topics covered over nearly 20 minutes:

PODCAST
Andy and Brian Kamenetzky talk to the Lakers forward Ron Artest about his offseason and speaking out on mental health issues. Podcast

- Ron may be quite the force on Twitter (@RONARTESTCOM, among other handles), but is respectful enough to recognize the true champion, particularly when the title holder happens to be a blood relative. Artest's brother Daniel (@D_Artest_QB) is crowned the more dominant Tweeter.

- Artest is lending support to legislation put forth by Rep. Grace Napolitano (D- Montebello) providing increased funding for mental health services in schools. As someone who has dealt with the habit of swallowing emotions until they explode, Artest knows firsthand the damage made possible from a lack of communication. Without learning to properly channel these feelings when you're young, the foundation is laid for issues to fester as an adult.

"That's been my problem the last couple of years, since I was a kid," conceded Artest. "I bottled it all up and sometimes it comes out the wrong way."

- By opening up about the help he's personally received, Artest is unquestionably going out on a limb. That said, his only apprehension was the possibility of parents misinterpreting his efforts as a call to medicate children. As he notes, that's a whole different can of worms, and well outside his expertise. But in terms of how he might be perceived for admitting help sought, Artest doesn't really care anymore about what people think.

"I felt kind of bad, I felt kind of stupid," explained Artest about first hearing the inevitable snickers. "But then I say, it's not about me. It's about the kids that I was trying to reach out to. That's what was most important. I'll just use myself and all the backlash and laughs, I worry about that later."

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