"Everybody Lies"

If you are an admirer of the brilliant but obnoxious TV physician known as Dr. Gregory House, played by Hugh Laurie, you'll want to order a new T-shirt. It says "Everybody lies." It's one of House's favorite sayings, describing why it takes him so long sometimes to diagnose illnesses.

The T-shirts are being sold to benefit NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a cause supported by the show's cast and crew. Here's what they say about the shirts on their Web site: " 'Everybody Lies' is also message about stigma. Myths surround mental illness. In the context of the TV show, the phrase is a reference to the fact that people who are being diagnosed -- relative to any illness -- often withhold information because they are afraid, ashamed, embarrassed, or conflicted. That is a consequence of stigma, a familiar experience for many NAMI members. Too often, Hollywood has been indifferent to stigma concerns. This time, the producers and cast of a TV show stepped forward to help.

"Mental illness is stigmatized and misunderstood in our society, and we're trying to do something about that," said "House" executive producer Katie Jacobs. "We're very fortunate to be celebrating an extremely successful third season for 'House,' and we'd like to give something back to a cause we feel is both worthy and overlooked."

The T-shirts can be purchased on-line for $19.95 at www.housecharitytees.com

I was talking the other day to Dr. Karen Kraus, coordinator of child and adolescent training for the University of California at San Francisco, a refreshing woman who is a straight shooter and a truth-teller. She is more diplomatic than House. She doesn't say that "Everybody Lies." She calls the process of getting to the truth "perfecting the history."