These celebrities have made mental health a priority
In recent years, a number of public figures have opened up about mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, postpartum mental health issues and more and while females seem to be leading the conversation, a number of famous men have joined in as well: Kendrick Lamar, Jon Hamm, Ryan Reynolds, Zayn Malik and Dwayne Johnson have also spoken out, breaking through the invisible barrier and decades-long scrutiny men often face in addressing their emotions and vulnerabilities.
Kristen Bell
Kristen Bell recently revealed that she struggles with depression and anxiety, noting that mental health issues run in her family. “I am someone who takes a medication for her anxiety and depression,” the actress explained on Today. “I am someone who has to check myself and sometimes— if I’m feeling really low—make a checklist of good and bad things in my life to see if it’s my mental state or if we really have a problem.” Bell went on to say that husband Dax Shepard, who hosts the hugely popular Armchair Expert podcast where he talks opens about his road to sobriety, encouraged her to share her struggles. “I had never thought about that before, and I immediately felt incredibly irresponsible,” she admitted. The star continues to normalize conversations about anxiety and depression as well as the use of antidepressant medication, CBD oil and therapy.
Kerry Washington
The Scandal actress has openly identified therapy as an important part of her personal care. Speaking to Gwyneth Paltrow during a Goop podcast, Washington explained how she feels. "We are such an escapist society," she told Paltrow. "We want a quick fix, we don't want to feel the feelings, we want to move over the feelings, we want to brush them away. We want to do whatever we can to not feel vulnerable." She said that she found therapy in college and hasn't looked back. "It's been invaluable. I've been in and out of therapy for the majority of my life."
Dwayne Johnson
In 2018, The Rock opened up about his traumatic past including his mother’s suicide attempt, which he witnessed when he was just 15 years old. While his mother doesn’t recall the incident today (“it’s probably best that she doesn’t” Johnson admitted), the events were naturally devastating.. He suffered from anxiety and bouts of depression for years afterward, hitting a low point when he experienced a breakup soon after losing his job with the CFL. Fans were quick to applaud The Rock for sharing his story, noting how his willingness to be vulnerable would help others. During a segment of ITV's Lorraine in 2018, The Rock opened up about his depression, saying, "Regardless of who you are or what you do for a living or where you come from, it doesn't discriminate, we all kind of go through it. If I could share a little bit of it and if I could help somebody, I'm happy to do it."
Lady Gaga
Perhaps one of the most outspoken celebrity advocates for mental health is Lady Gaga, who frequently uses her platform to champion awareness and the importance of seeking treatment as needed. Improved mental health care is one of the primary goals of Gaga’s charitable organization, Born This Way Foundation, and the pop-star-turned-Oscar-winner has written a passionate open letter on the subject, saying, “We can no longer afford to be silenced by stigma or stymied by misguided ideas that portray these conditions as a matter of weakness or moral failing.” Gaga didn’t shy away from sharing her mental health struggles in her Netflix documentary, Five Foot Two, and candidly chatted with Oprah about the subject a few weeks ago, even bringing Lady O to tears with her vulnerability and willingness to share.
Ryan Reynolds
Canadian actor and heartthrob Ryan Reynolds may look like he’s got it all—good looks, an incredible career a happy marriage to Blake Lively (with whom he shares three daughters) and of course, his unfailing ability to be hilarious on social media. All of that is true, but Reynolds has also suffered from anxiety for his whole life. In an interview with the New York Times, Reynolds explained his condition, saying it exists, “both in the lighthearted ‘I’m anxious about this’ kind of thing, and I’ve been to the depths of the darker end of the spectrum, which is not fun.” He credits the meditation app HeadSpace for helping him manage his symptoms as well as the support of Lively, who “gets him a lot.”
When it comes to mental health, every action counts! Join the conversation on Bell Let’s Talk Day, January 26, and help create positive change for those living with mental health issues. For every text message, mobile or long-distance call made by Bell, Bell Aliant and Bell MTS customers, Bell will donate five cents to Canadian mental health initiatives. The same goes for every tweet or TikTok video with the hashtag #BellLetsTalk, watching the Bell Let’s Talk Day video on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest , TikTok or Snapchat, or using the Bell Let’s Talk Facebook frame or Snapchat filter. But that’s just the first step: Visit letstalk.bell.ca for more ways you can effect change and build awareness around mental health.
