Mental health is a topic commonly swept under the rug due to the “shameful” stigma surrounding it. Oftentimes, people who deal with mental health struggles will acquire a “keep your problems to yourself” mindset. More issues arise as individuals close themselves off to others. The best thing to do…talk it out!
The History and Importance of Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this month we’re ditching the stigmas and opening up about our struggles. May is the perfect time to embrace mental health, whether you’re thriving or struggling. It’s important to reach out to loved ones around you and receive the support your mind needs.
Mental Health Awareness Month was initially established in the late 1940s, according to the National Council of Mental Wellbeing. During this time, the topic of mental health became quite common as more people began to speak out about their internal battles. Medicinal and scientific research was prioritized as doctors everywhere began to normalize mental health struggles.
Mental Health Awareness Month is extremely important as it often pushes individuals out of their comfort zone and discusses a topic that is overlooked. Mental health contributes to many other aspects of one’s life, such as physical health, memory, and relationships. It’s very important to focus on your mental health and, in turn, prioritize your overall health.
Celebrity Role Models
This month, a few celebrities have opened up about their mental health struggles, attempting to relate to and ease the minds of fans. Social media platforms are being used to share mental health stories and various ways to overcome mental struggles. The following celebrities have all contributed to ending the silence surrounding mental health.
Emma Stone
American actress Emma Stone has recently been very open about her struggles with anxiety disorders and frequent panic attacks. She claims that as a child, she often had irrational fears and needed constant reassurance from loved ones. She speaks highly of her time in therapy and continues to advocate for anxious individuals.
Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez began acting from a young age, instantly feeling the pressure of stardom. Like Stone, she speaks up about her struggles with anxiety and depression as a child. She has been open about her journey towards her bipolar disorder diagnosis and her psychosis experiences. She prides herself on remaining kind to all and empathetic to mental health struggles.
Prince Harry
The humanitarian Duke of Sussex has always been an advocate for mental health struggles. He is an amazing role model as he continuously discusses his own grief-induced panic attacks, depression, and episodes of emotional suppression. In 2013, when he returned from his tour in Afghanistan, Prince Harry underwent a series of mental struggles that he claimed were his “biggest struggle.”
Demi Lovato
Growing up as an American child actor similar to Gomez, Demi Lovato also had a large amount of pressure put upon her shoulders at a very delicate time in her life. Lovato often speaks up about her struggles with substance abuse in the past and with various eating disorders. When she was diagnosed in 2011 with bipolar disorder, she claimed to have felt relieved to finally understand her depression and mental struggles.
Penn Badgley
From a young age, Penn Badgley has struggled with body dysmorphia and self-perception. He previously stated that fans unintentionally put pressure on him to look a certain way to fit the trending physical aesthetic. He also stated that playing a role like his character Joe Goldberg has been mentally exhausting, as he often has to slip into a “psychopath” state of mind.
End the Stigmas With Openness
As time passes, more people are publicly sharing their stories, struggles, and journeys to better mental health. The stigma surrounding mental struggles is slowly dissolving as celebrities and other influencers continue to encourage fans to speak up and seek help. Various mental struggles are being normalized, and a sense of community is forming between those who relate to one another.
Celebrities who continue to share their stories are amazing role models for those who are struggling in silence. It’s no longer acceptable to keep your problems to yourself. Know that you are not alone, N Crowd, no matter what it is that you’re going through.
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