Many people with mental health issues don’t seek treatment due to the stigma, or negative and unfair beliefs, associated with it. In fact, over half of adults with a mental health issue go untreated. This is often because they are afraid of what others may think of them and they may be seen as weak and treated differently. Now, many celebrities, such as actors, singers, and comedians, are opening up about their mental health. They are helping to raise awareness around mental health and sharing their stories in hopes to lessen the stigma.
Megan Thee Stallion
When Megan was in 9th grade she lost her father and in 2019 she lost her mother. In 2021, Megan opened up about her mental health and seeking therapy. After losing her parents, she did not know who she could turn to. Megan explained further that being a black woman and needing therapy has a stigma of being weak and was seen as a negative thing. Although there is still a stigma, especially among black and other minority communities, seeking help for mental health issues is becoming more safe and acceptable. Megan has even developed her own website providing a wide range of mental health resources and sharing it with her followers.
Justin Bieber
In 2017, while on tour, Justin admitted to being really depressed and was struggling a lot. He said he felt as though the pain would never go away. At an early age, he experimented with all types of drugs and became addicted. He reports that it was scary and knew when he felt like dying, he had to get clean and needed professional help. He and his wife have been open about their journey and experiences and encourage others that it is okay to reach out for help.
Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez is another celebrity who has been open and honest about her battle with mental health issues. In 2014, she was diagnosed with Lupus and admitted to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. She experienced panic attacks when getting ready to perform and said she had very low feelings of self-worth. Selena has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and spent 3 months in a treatment center. Now Selena sees a psychologist five days a week. She has a documentary out called My Mind and Me, where she tells her story of battling with mental health. Additionally, she created the Rare Impact Fund which provides resources and also raises funding to support youth with mental health issues.
Jonah Hill
Just recently issued a statement that in order to protect his mental health, he will no longer be in the public eye. He explains that he has spent nearly 20 years with anxiety attacks and the media makes them much worse. Jonah has recently released a film called Stutz, which shows him and his therapist having honest conversations regarding his mental health. Jonah made this film hoping that his candidness will help normalize others to talk openly and seek help for mental health related issues.
Though stigmas surrounding mental health still exist, it’s great to see celebrities using their platforms to speak out about their own mental health issues. Everyone struggles sometimes, and sometimes you need to seek out help from professionals. If you are experiencing depression, anxiety, panic attacks, or other mental health concerns, now is the time to take the first step.