Actors, musicians, and public figures are increasingly sharing their experiences with mood disorders, mental health issues, substance abuse, and bereavement.
Their readiness to open up to the public about the state of their mental health shows that mental illness is becoming less of a taboo and can be discussed anywhere.
Some have even gone so far as to launch initiatives and gather funds to promote services and raise awareness about mental health.
Megan Thee Stallion founded Bad Bitches Have Bad Days Too, an online resource for finding therapy and other mental health support.
Selena Gomez also released her documentary “My Mind and Me,” which details how her mental health declined as she gained more notoriety. Taraji P. Henson also released an Emmy-nominated series called “Peace of Mind with Taraji”.
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Below are eight stars who bravely chose to open up about their struggles to raise awareness of the widespread problem of mental health and offer comfort to many who encounter comparable difficulties.
Nicki Minaj
The rap queen courageously disclosed how her depression resulted in suicidal thoughts, demonstrating that not even success and stardom can shield one from mental health issues. Nicki’s decision to end her decades-long alcohol addiction in 2022 demonstrated that it is possible to overcome deep-seated addiction and the triggers that lead to it.
Halle Berry
Halle Berry’s admission that she thought about killing herself after her divorce emphasizes the significant impact that life transitions have on mental health.
“I had a vision of my mother finding me while I was sitting in my car, and I knew the gas was about to run out”. Her confession discusses the wider effects of mental health on families.
Kanye West
For years, Kanye West’s mental health issues have been widely a subject of discussion. He has been plagued, in particular, by the death of his mother, Donda West, in 2007 due to complications from plastic surgery and heart disease.
The musician has stated that he holds himself responsible for his mother’s passing, stating that the demands of Los Angeles, where she relocated to oversee his career, probably drove her to pursue the procedures that ultimately resulted in her death. Apart from enduring the sadness of losing his mother, West has been transparent about being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Janet Jackson
“I had depression issues. The battle was fierce. Feelings of inferiority from childhood may be the cause of low self-esteem. It might have to do with not living up to impossible expectations”. In a 2018 Essence issue, Janet wrote, “And of course, there are always the societal issues of racism and sexism. Put it all together, and depression is a tenacious and scary condition. Thankfully, I found my way through it.”
Kendrick Lamar
In his album To Pimp a Butterfly, the Grammy Award-winning musician disclosed his battles with depression and thoughts of suicide. In the poignant song, U, Kendrick talked about his feelings of survivor’s guilt for leaving his hometown of Compton, California, where many of his friends and family still live.
In an interview with MTV regarding the album, the rapper stated, “Three of my homeboys [one] summer were murdered. You live this life; you understand what I mean, but you still have to face the realities of this. I have to return from that tour bus and attend these funerals.”
Big Sean
In 2018, the Big Sean postponed a North American tour, stating to Billboard that it was a wise decision for him. “I never really gave myself the time I needed to care for and nurture myself. I had a lot of anxiety and depression before I realized something wasn’t right,” he remarked. “I’ve been organizing myself and clearing my head. I have therefore been looking after myself better”.
Kid Cudi
In 2016, the rapper shared with Billboard his battle with depression, saying, “I used drugs to try to fix my depression. I have everything I ever dreamed of in terms of stability. However, I wasn’t experiencing that reality because my depression was eating me alive”. A few months later, he disclosed in a Facebook post that he had checked himself into a treatment facility for depression and “suicidal urges”.