Mental health issues are incredibly common in today’s world. They can affect anyone, no matter how successful, rich, or talented they may appear. Thus, it should come as no surprise that celebrities are just as susceptible to mental health troubles as anyone else. At the same time, many different societal pressures and expectations mean it is rare for celebrities to open up about mental health issues. Those who do can offer awareness and break down the stigma that continues to surround mental health issues. Find mental health treatment near you by calling Serenity Grove at 844.904.3485.
Notable Celebrities With Mental Health Issues
The reality is that far more celebrities deal with mental health issues than the general public knows about. That is part of what makes it so notable when a celebrity people love and respect is vulnerable enough to share their struggle with the world.
Many celebrities across the sports, television, and entertainment worlds have opened up and prompted healthier discussions about mental health. The following have all been open in sharing their mental health issues:
- Britney Spears
- Meghan Markle
- Bruce Springsteen
- Winona Ryder
- Brad Pitt
The list above could go on. Beyond some of the famous names listed there, below are highlighted three celebrities who have been vocal about mental health.
1. Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez first rose to fame as a Disney Channel star but has since had a phenomenally successful career as a musician. She is a serious mental health champion in the way she candidly discusses her history of mental health issues. In 2020, she was openly diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Medication, therapy, and staying off social media are a few of the ways she has leaned into addressing her disorder. She has even highlighted dialectical behavior therapy as a method that has helped her deal with symptoms of depression and anxiety. Dialectical behavior therapy is a form of therapy that combines counseling with mindfulness to alter negative patterns of thinking or behaving.
During an MTV Mental Health Youth Action Form, Gomez shared the reasoning behind talking about her struggles: “Mental health is very personal for me, and I hope that by using my platform to share my own story and working with incredible people like all of you, I can help others feel less alone and find the help they need.”
2. Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps rose to fame as an Olympic swimmer. He has the most Olympic medals of any American Olympian and holds numerous records in different swimming events. His struggle with mental health issues dates back to middle school when he was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Mental health issues followed Phelps into adulthood. He has struggled with depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts.
There was a particularly low point when Phelps made the news for substance abuse problems and DUIs. But in 2014, Phelps entered inpatient treatment for substance abuse and mental health. He credits his time in inpatient treatment for helping him turn things around. During an interview with Healthline, Phelps said, “I started feeling like a person…I guess I could love myself and like who I saw. I think for a long time, I looked at myself as a swimmer and not a human, so being able to learn more about me, how I worked, why I work that way through treatment and through unpacking all the extra crap that I had inside of me.”
3. Ryan Reynolds
Canadian-born Ryan Reynolds is one of the most famous actors today. He’s even played a superhero on the big screen on multiple occasions. But that hasn’t stopped him from experiencing anxiety and stress throughout his career. He’s been candid in public spaces like Instagram that anxiety has been something he’s struggled with throughout his life from a young age.
He has also noted that his parents did not always model the best coping skills during an interview with SELF by noting, “They were from a generation that didn’t really discuss mental health.” Reynolds is trying to make a positive change in this regard as he fathers his three daughters and encourages public and private conversation about challenges like anxiety.
Mental health issues can affect anyone at any point in their life. Some celebrities are helping to address these common issues, so people feel more comfortable speaking up about what they’re going through and getting help.
Addressing Mental Health Issues With Help from Serenity Grove
Better public conversation around mental health is always for the good of society. Celebrities like Selena Gomez, Michael Phelps, and Ryan Reynolds have done great work to destigmatize a difficult topic. But you don’t have to be a celebrity to have an impact on someone’s mental health issues. Connect with Serenity Grove by calling 844.904.3485 or filling out our online contact form.
