Top 10 Inspirational Celebs Who Were Honest About Mental Health
#10: Carrie Fisher
After years of dealing with addiction, the actress was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in her twenties. Although at the time mental health wasn’t really openly discussed, Fisher actively fought to break down walls surrounding the subject. She hoped that by speaking honestly about her experiences, she could help others feel less alone. Fisher was also known to broach the subject with a sense of humor to help break down some of the stigmas. Ultimately, her message was that, although living with mental illness can be challenging, there is nothing to be ashamed of.
#9: Selena Gomez
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Selena Gomez is no stranger to scrutiny - from the media or the public. But aside from paparazzi pressure and intense attention on her romantic relationships, Gomez has had to publicly deal with something few former child stars have: in 2015 she revealed she'd been diagnosed with Lupus - a fact that took a toll on her physical and mental health. She’s checked into rehab multiple times to seek help for burnout, depression and anxiety. And, while she was once Instagram’s most followed user, today she avoids social media for the sake of her own wellbeing. 2020 saw her go public with a bipolar disorder diagnosis, and through it all, she’s been open with her fans about what's going on in her life so they feel the strength and confidence to do the same for themselves.
#8: Pete Davidson
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Pete Davidson has always used his platform to share his own issues with mental health and addiction. After losing his father during 9/11, Pete spent a lot of time in and out of treatment facilities. In 2016, he started experiencing episodes of rage, blacking out, and deep depression, and was eventually diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. He’s since called the diagnosis a weight lifted off of his shoulders and advocates for people to seek help when they need it. He hopes that by speaking out about his own experiences, he can raise awareness and help others.
#7: Lili Reinhart
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Body positivity and mental health awareness are two subjects that the “Riverdale” actress is passionate about. She uses her social media to talk about her own experiences with depression and anxiety in a bid to break down the misconceptions and stigmas surrounding mental health. She’s talked about a time when she “couldn’t see the light” and how she would have to cancel jobs due to anxiety and panic attacks. Not only does she find sharing therapeutic, but she also strongly supports others seeking help too. Lili has said that the pandemic actually helped her slow down and finally allow her to process some of the big changes that affected her life.
#6: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
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In 2018, this megastar spoke out about his own depression. When he was a teenager, shortly after his family was evicted from their home, he saved his mother from taking her own life. This led to periods of deep depression where he didn’t want to do anything and he was “crying constantly.” Later, an injury dashed his dreams of becoming a professional football player, and he went through a break-up, leading to what he called the “absolute worst time.” Now, he talks about how important it is to pay attention to those dealing with mental health issues, and remind them that they’re not alone. And that’s something he continues to do for his fans.
#5: Lady Gaga
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Stefani Germanotta is a strong campaigner for mental health awareness, calling the reluctance to address the subject “a crisis of epic proportions”. The singer, who also suffers from PTSD, has called for better support within the entertainment industry and even launched a foundation dedicated to the wellness of young people. In an interview with Oprah, she got candid about how not dealing with trauma led her to hospitalization. Gaga also wants to break down the biases against medication. Through her music and advocacy, she continues to fight for the importance of addressing mental health in modern life.
#4: Elliot Page
After shooting to stardom, Page’s depression, anxiety, and panic attacks were at an all-time high. He was also experiencing body dysmorphia. He felt he had to suppress his authentic self, and revealed that the immense pressure eventually caused him to collapse at the “Inception” premiere. The number of Transgender people who experience mental illness is heartbreakingly high, often due to an unaccepting or uncomprehending society. Hearing Elliot talk about his experiences, and how he finally embraced his true self, is so vital in helping others in the Trans community.
#3: Kendrick Lamar
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In 2015, the Grammy Award-winning rapper released his “To Pimp a Butterfly” album, which explored subjects like depression, anxiety, addiction, and resilience. During an interview with MTV following the album’s release, Lamar revealed that he was in a really dark place while writing the songs. Some of the tracks were inspired by his harsh upbringing and his survivor’s guilt for getting out. Mental health is still so often stigmatized, with many feeling like they can’t seek help. Lamar recognizes the power of his platform, and says he will use it to give a voice to those who can’t express their own.
#2: Princess Diana
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The people’s princess was often considered a pioneer when it came to breaking down taboos. One example of this was how honest she was about her own mental health. In her 1992 interview with Andrew Morton, she spoke openly and candidly about the hardships she faced while part of the royal family. As mental health wasn’t a subject many Brits were comfortable discussing openly, she was branded as unstable and attention-seeking, and her cries for help were ignored. However, after this interview, there was a rise in the number of women who sought treatment. Today, we can still see Diana’s legacy live on. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few other celebs who bravely spoke up about mental health. Ryan Reynolds His Wife, Blake Lively, Helps Him with His Anxiety Kerry Washington Discussed Her Experiences with an Eating Disorder Zayn Malik Shared His Experiences with Anxiety & Panic Attacks Taraji P. Henson Strongly Advocates for Mental Health Awareness
#1: Demi Lovato
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This star is perhaps one of the biggest advocates for mental health. She draws on her own experiences to educate, inspire and encourage others. From representing the “Be Vocal” initiative in D.C. to creating the “Beyond Silence” documentary, Demi seeks to bust the myths, biases and stigmas surrounding mental illness. The singer has vowed to keep sharing her stories as long as it can help others. However, this all came at a cost, too, when the pressures of being a role model grew too heavy. Today, she talks about the value of putting your wellbeing first and understanding that everyone takes their own mental health journey.
