```html Chris McCarthy Departs Paramount Global, Cites Mental Health Advocacy as Key Achievement Chris McCarthy, outgoing co-CEO of Paramount Global, highlighted the company's mental health advocacy work as a significant accomplishment during his 22-year tenure at MTV, Viacom, and Paramount Global. His departure coincides with the imminent closure of Paramount's merger with Skydance Media, scheduled for August 7.

A Legacy of Pop Culture and Advocacy In his farewell memo to staff, McCarthy emphasized the cultural impact of the platforms he oversaw. "Our greatest achievement goes beyond entertainment," he wrote, noting the company's response to the rising mental health crisis. He stated that Paramount spearheaded an industry-wide Mental Health Coalition, contributing to a nearly 40% increase in mental health storylines and a 15% decrease in harmful portrayals across scripted content. "At some point in our lives, many of us will struggle with our mental health, and by increasing positive portrayals, we are helping to decrease the stigma," McCarthy stated. "Through our stories, we are helping people see that there isn’t something wrong with them; rather, they are perfectly human and seeking help is a sign of strength."

McCarthy's Tenure: A Look Back McCarthy's leadership saw the rise of successful franchises, notably through collaborations with Taylor Sheridan, including shows like "1923" and "Landman." He also highlighted the return of Jon Stewart and the continued success of "RuPaul's Drag Race," noting the importance of these programs in shaping culture. “These past years, we didn’t just adapt to change – we led it. We delivered three of the top four most-streamed shows of 2025: MobLand, 1923, and Landman."

Industry Reaction and Analysis Dr. Sarah Watson, a media psychologist at the University of Southern California, commented on the significance of McCarthy's emphasis on mental health. "Hollywood has a powerful influence on societal perceptions," she said. "Increased representation of mental health challenges in a responsible and destigmatizing manner can have a real impact on viewers, encouraging them to seek help and fostering empathy." However, some industry observers remain cautiously optimistic. Mark Young, a media analyst at Barrington Research, noted that while increased representation is positive, the actual impact is difficult to quantify. "It's crucial to assess whether these storylines genuinely resonate with audiences and lead to tangible changes in attitudes and behaviors," Young stated.

The Evolving Landscape of Paramount Global McCarthy's departure marks a significant transition for Paramount Global as it prepares for the merger with Skydance Media. The media landscape has been undergoing significant shifts, with traditional media companies facing increasing competition from streaming services and digital platforms. The merger aims to position the combined entity for greater success in this evolving environment. The merger with Skydance Media signals a strategic shift for Paramount, potentially leading to new content strategies and distribution models. The future direction of Paramount's cable networks, previously under McCarthy's purview, remains to be seen.

Historical Context: Mental Health in Hollywood Hollywood's portrayal of mental health has evolved significantly over time. Early depictions often relied on stereotypes and stigmatizing tropes. In recent years, there's been a growing push for more accurate and nuanced representations, reflecting a broader societal awareness of mental health issues. Shows like "BoJack Horseman" and "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" have received critical acclaim for their honest and empathetic portrayals of mental illness.

Moving Forward As McCarthy exits Paramount Global, his legacy includes a focus on culturally relevant content and a commitment to addressing social issues like mental health. The merger with Skydance Media will usher in a new chapter for the company, with challenges and opportunities in a rapidly changing media landscape.

McCarthy's Full Exit Memo Hi everyone, With the merger closing tomorrow, I wanted to reach out. Back in the 90s, well before social media, MTV was the pop culture center of the world – and it was the first time many of us got to see ourselves on television. All different types of people, including people like me, who were struggling with their identity. It was then that I realized I wasn't alone and that MTV was a place many could call home. That is the power of great storytelling – it not only entertains us but also it has the power to unite, inspire and give us hope. Twenty-two years later, I'm as grateful today as I was walking through these doors in 2003. Together, we made pop-culture history, advocated on behalf of our audiences and built world-class shows that have and will shape culture for decades to come. These past years, we didn’t just adapt to change – we led it. We delivered three of the top four most-streamed shows of 2025: MobLand, 1923, and Landman. With Taylor Sheridan, we built one of the most successful franchises in TV history. We brought Jon Stewart back to speak truth to power, continued to elevate and celebrate Drag Race globally while others try to silence it, and we grew and extended our partnership with Matt and Trey, ensuring that the South Park boys can continue to point out the inanities and insanities of life for years to come. These aren’t just hit shows; they define culture and prove that this team doesn’t follow trends, we create them. But our greatest achievement goes beyond entertainment. When the alarming rise of mental health issues became a crisis, we didn’t just sit back, we leaned in. We spearheaded an industry-wide Mental Health Coalition and, together, we’ve driven a nearly 40% increase in mental health storylines which help to normalize mental health and showcase characters coping with issues, getting help and supporting others. Simultaneously, we’ve worked hard to diminish the negative stigma related to mental health and have seen a 15% decrease in harmful portrayals across scripted content. At some point in our lives, many of us will struggle with our mental health, and by increasing positive portrayals, we are helping to decrease the stigma. Through our stories, we are helping people see that there isn’t something wrong with them; rather, they are perfectly human and seeking help is a sign of strength. Together, we've literally helped change how an entire industry tells stories about mental health and in doing so will help generations of audiences to come. Many doubted we could go this far. Most never believed we'd reach this scale. But here we are – not because of luck, but because of each of you and your relentless creativity, dedication, and support of one another. As the company enters its next chapter, I'm filled with pride and gratitude for what we’ve built and absolute confidence in what you’ll create next – here, somewhere else, or in your personal lives. This remarkable team will continue to shape culture, drive change, inspire others and prove that great storytelling has the power to change the world. All the while showing a deep sense of compassion and kindness for each other. Thank you for your trust, your talent, your inspiration and your friendship. With the deepest respect and gratitude, Chris ```