Even though May has ended, and so has Mental Health Awareness Month, that does not mean advocacy for the cause should end too.
Mental health is a crippling issue that must be addressed every month. Although it's a nice idea to have each month dedicated to raising awareness for a different cause in a spotlight type of way, other life-threatening issues like mental disorders cannot be left in the dark.
Considering 1 in 5 people suffer from mental illness, it is way too common. What seems to be so significant about celebrities who speak up about their mental illness is the platform in which they have the access to spread knowledge through. People respect celebrities. They admire them and are motivated by what they say, so naturally, when a celeb addresses an issue, it is viewed as important.
There are many celebs who are known to suffer from mental illnesses but don't speak up on behalf of those who need help and motivation. Luckily, the younger generation has actually stepped up to the plate when it comes to the widespread of mental health disorders. Many of these celebs act as spokespeople for issues that impact our society, and we must be grateful for those who rose to fame in recent years and gave back to the community that supported them.
Here are seven celebs who are actually making a difference in the mental health community:
1. Lady Gaga
When it comes to mental health advocates, Lady Gaga has been a major inspiration for fans all around the world. As she has been very vocal about her mental health history, she has inspired others to face their fears and address their issues as well.
As an extremely successful artist whose mental health has been affected by fame, body-shaming, anxiety, depression and PTSD, Gaga is a perfect example of a strong woman who has prevailed.
Something special about Gaga is how she reaches out and connects with her fans. Experiencing her live performance at the Joanne tour in Philly was one of the most heartfelt shows I've ever seen. She read a letter from a fan who wrote to her about his struggles dealing with sexual assault and coming out.
As she addressed the importance of mental health, bravery, understanding and compassion, she jumped into the crowd, gave him a huge hug and kiss, and told him he was brave. It was a moment of healing for that boy and truly impacting to everyone else.
2. Logic
This Maryland-born rapper has also been very vocal about his mental health disorders, which are poured-out through his music, like the song 1-800-273-8255, which is literally named after the suicide prevention hotline. As not only an advocate and spokesman for mental health through commercials and campaigns, his support is shown through his lyricism, a truly genuine way to reach people who are searching for solace in music.
3. Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato is no stranger to addressing her mental health publicly and fighting for the cause. She has been vocal about her eating and bipolar disorders, as well as drug and alcohol addictions since she was admitted to rehab at age 18. At the 2016 DNC in Philadelphia, she gave a short yet moving speech about the importance of mental health and the need to address it. In 2012 she released the MTV documentary Stay Strong, allowing the world to follow her path to recovery.
4. Michael Phelps
Recently, the Olympian has been very open about his mental health while working hard towards awareness and prevention. Together with Talkspace, Phelps launched what has been referred to as a "groundbreaking mental health campaign on national TV." Talkspace is a global leader in online therapy and Phelps announced his partnership in the campaign to promote therapy as a tool for combating mental illness. Phelps opens up in the campaign by sharing his personal mental health story and encouraging others to speak up about theirs.
5. Selena Gomez
Selena is another example of a celeb who went to rehab for mental illness and has publicly shared her healing process in hopes to influence others. She completed a two-week treatment program for her anxiety and depression last year and recently opened up in an interview with 13 Reasons Why star Katherine Langford.
6. Hayley Williams
This badass rock star with a history of mental health issues recently opened up about her depression in a powerful op-ed for Paper Mag last month. Her piece is kind of vague and pretty short—yet it's powerful. It speaks volume to how mental health can affect the simplest things in life, which affects the overall big picture without even knowing it.
7. Emma Watson
Throughout her career, Emma has opened up about her struggles with mental health and she has always advocated for the cause. Along with her strong feminist views, she has campaigned for gender equality and how that plays a huge role in determining mental health. Last month she posted a photo for Mental Health Awareness Week discussing gender, social norms, sexuality, and how they culminate into factors known to damage mental health. Her advocacy for diversity and equality have impacted fans and those without a voice all around the world.
For mental health hotline numbers and referral sources please visit HealthyPlace.com.
