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Battling mental illness can be lonely, especially if you keep your struggles to yourself. That’s why when well-known figures from minority backgrounds are willing to open up about their mental health difficulties, it can have a positive ripple effect and promote real community healing. Read on for mental health stories of how celebrities you may know have dealt with bouts of mental illness; their recovery testimonials may just inspire you to own your story and seek the support you need.
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Simone Biles Puts Self-Care First
Gymnast Simone Biles had been no stranger to performing under pressure, racking up 25 medals before the age of 30. But in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the stress began to catch up with her. While participating in the qualifying round, she experienced a frightening phenomenon called “the twisties,” where gymnasts become disoriented while they flip and spin through the air.
Ultimately, that uncomfortable feeling persisted, causing her to drop out of the Olympics before finishing all the events. Biles explains how athletes are up against this kind of pressure constantly, sharing, “At the end of the day, we’re not just athletes or entertainment. We’re human, too, and we have emotions and feelings and things that we’re working through behind the scenes that we don’t tell you guys about. And so, I just think it’s something that people should be more aware of.”
By spreading awareness about her mental health struggles, Biles normalized it, opening the door for others in the community to do the same.
“The word ‘champion’ used to just mean being on top or breaking records,” Biles states in an interview with Good Housekeeping. “Now it means being vulnerable, showing your inner strength, being courageous.”
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Kerry Washington Takes Care of Her Brain
Actress Kerry Washington, perhaps best known for starring in the popular TV show Scandal, hasn’t been shy about sharing her story about maintaining her mental health. In a 2015 interview, she highlighted how our society doesn’t shame people for caring for their physical health and advocated treating mental health the same way.
“I say that publicly because I think it’s really important to take the stigma away from mental health,” Washington explains. “My brain and my heart are really important to me. I don’t know why I wouldn’t seek help to have those things be as healthy as my teeth. I go to the dentist. So why wouldn’t I go to a shrink?”
Hopefully, sensible points of view like Washington’s encourage others in the community to feel empowered to seek professional mental health services. It shouldn’t feel any more shameful than getting your teeth cleaned or visiting the doctor for an annual physical.
Mental Health Conditions We Treat
ADD & ADHD
Disorder in which individuals display characteristics such as distraction, impulsiveness, hyperactivity and poor attention.
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Anxiety
Anxiety can be described as the constant feeling of an alarm going off when an individual feels stressed or threatened.
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Bipolar Disorder
A disorder which causes changes in an individual’s moods, energy levels and prevents the ability to handle day to day tasks.
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Depression
When left untreated, depression can lead to serious long-term effects, such as feelings of loneliness and thoughts of suicide.
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Eating Disorders
A condition in which an individual displays abnormal eating habits, negatively affecting one’s mental and physical health.
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OCD
A mental health disorder in which individuals frequently experience repetitive, obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.
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Personality Disorder
A personality disorder can significantly disrupt the lives of both the affected person and those who care about that person.
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PTSD
A disorder that may develop after experiencing or witnessing something traumatic, shocking, scary, or life threatening.
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Substance Abuse
Most individuals suffering with a substance abuse disorder may want to quit using, but the urges are too strong to control.
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Mariah Carey Shares Her Diagnosis Publicly
Despite being aware of her diagnosis of bipolar disorder for many years, singer and songwriter Mariah Carey was hesitant to share her mental health story publicly. In 2018, she finally decided to be open and honest, explaining, “It was too heavy a burden to carry, and I simply couldn’t do that anymore. I sought and received treatment, I put positive people around me and I got back to doing what I love — writing songs and making music.”
Bipolar disorder isn’t an uncommon diagnosis; it affects about 5.7 million adult Americans every year. So by sharing her mental health story, Carey taps into the power of representation, hopefully helping others feel less burdened by the disorder and showing that there is happiness and love on the other side of receiving treatment.
Jennifer Lopez Gets Real About Anxiety
It’s easy to believe that superstars like singer and actress Jennifer Lopez have nothing to worry about. But by sharing her mental health story in her book True Love, Lopez shows that no one is immune to anxiety and the impact it can have on your physical health and relationships.
Lopez writes, “I had worked maybe 55 days in a row without a day off and shooting on a film, and I just one day was walking towards the set, and every time I walked towards the set my heart would start beating, and I would start getting frightened.”
On one occasion, her vision blurred on set and she went to the hospital, where a doctor told her she needed to put her mental health first. “The truth is, I wasn’t taking care of myself at all. I wasn’t loving myself at all,” Lopez explains. “All I was thinking about was pleasing everyone else and showing everybody else that I could do all these things and that I was fine. […] I have to take care of myself first before I can take care of anyone else.”
The responsibilities of everyday life can make it seem difficult to carve out time to care for your mental health, but the point Lopez makes is salient. If you aren’t at your best, you can’t do your best for others. Seeking mental health treatment is the opposite of a selfish act.
Recovery Testimonials Help Foster Community Healing
Though each of these celebrity stories is unique, they all highlight the importance of speaking out and being honest with yourself when you need mental health support.
Sometimes, seeing how others have overcome their struggles can give you the hope you need to get through your own. By sharing experiences, seeking treatment and communicating the benefits of that treatment to others, a ripple effect of community healing can occur.
Share Your Own Mental Health Story
If you’ve been struggling with your mental health, know that you aren’t alone and help is available. As you’ve seen with the celebrity stories above, sharing your story with a professional can be incredibly healing.
At FHE, our mental health professionals are ready and waiting to provide you with compassionate care. Our team of experts is available 24/7, so don’t hesitate to contact us anytime and begin your healing journey. A happier, calmer, more fulfilling life is possible. Take the first step toward that life today.
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