Wave Wire Services
LOS ANGELES — The City Council proclaimed May 15 as “Metta World Peace Day” in honor of Ron Artest, a former Lakers defender and NBA champion, for his advocacy for mental health.
City Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez led a ceremony to recognize Artest, who legally changed his name to Metta World Peace in 2011.
The councilman previously introduced a resolution proclaiming May 15 as “Metta World Peace Day,” which was unanimously approved by his colleagues.
The recognition coincides with Mental Health Awareness Month, which has been observed in May in the United States since 1949.
“Metta will probably go down as one of the best lockdown defenders in NBA history, but his greatest legacy, and the one that I want to honor him (for) today, is something he has built off the court,” Soto-Martinez said. “Many of you might remember that after sinking that incredible three-pointer in game seven against the Celtics — sorry Celtics fans, if you’re out there — Metta famously thanked his psychiatrist in his post-game interview on the court,” Soto-Martinez said.
The councilman described that moment as unique and special — one that sticks with you for years.
In December 2010, World Peace announced that he would donate some or all of his salary for the 2011-12 NBA season toward mental health awareness charities. He also auctioned off his 2009-10 championship ring and donated the proceeds to various mental health charities nationwide.
He officially changed his name to Metta World Peace in a move to inspire and bring youth together around the world. “Metta’” is a traditional Buddhist term meaning love-kindness and friendliness toward all.
World Peace continues his advocacy for mental health issues, working with Grace Napolitano, a former U.S. representative for the San Gabriel Valley and other areas of Los Angeles County, to promote the Mental Health in School Act.
He also has advocated for more school-based mental health workers, and established the Artest Foundation in 2013, with the purpose of empowering inner-city youth by providing access to essential resources in education, athletics and mental health support.
“Metta has shown a generation that it is OK to go to therapy; that it is OK to ask for help; that it is a strength to recognize that and take action because ultimately that is for the betterment of your own self,” Soto-Martinez said.
Rochel Leah Bernstein, founder of Child Safety Pledge, an organization dedicated to prevent and combat child sexual abuse in the United States, gave brief remarks to honor her close friend, World Peace.
“We talked so much about mental health because I knew nothing about the world of sports, and we bonded over our shared love for impact, for mental health, and for truly making a difference,” Bernstein said.
“Over the time that we’ve known each other, you have been someone who has such deep integrity for the truth, for doing the right thing, for showing up for people that you care about, even when it’s unpopular and for always advocating for those who are truly in need,” Bernstein added.
World Peace thanked the City Council for the recognition. A native of New York, World Peace said his advocacy began well before joining the NBA.
The athlete explained he grew up in the streets of a Queens’ project. World Peace said he had his sports life and his philanthropic life, and navigating both was not easy.
Fast forward to when he moved to Los Angeles in 2009, he said his community-building here in the city began with playing football on the beach. Slowly, World Peace got immersed in the various communities of the L.A. region.
“When we won the championship, and I think, my psychologist actually called me and said ‘Metta, I’m not your psychiatrist, I’m your psychologist.’ And I said, ‘I never knew the difference,’” World Peace said.
World Peace explained he wanted to clarify that moment because he felt something good came out of it, adding that he hoped he gave people courage to talk about mental health.
He further explained that he’s working on a larger project to make therapy more accessible.
