Mental health issues like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and bipolar disorder can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, background, or ethnicity. Many people find it hard to believe that celebrities can suffer from mental health disorders. They may wonder how someone can be sad if they already seem to have everything they could want, including wealth, success, and fame. The truth is that there is so much that goes on in a person’s life behind closed doors that the public may not be privy to, and while a particular celebrity may be smiling in their Instagram photos, they could be dealing with significant trauma and hurt in their personal lives. Some celebrities have made the brave decision to talk publicly about their mental health disorders to normalize them and help others realize that they are not alone and there is help available to them.
Kendall Jenner
Kendall Jenner is a supermodel born into one of the world’s most famous and most talked-about families. While she may be beautiful and wealthy, she pays the price of her fame by having to hear the public’s opinions about her regularly. Whether these opinions are shared through the news or in social media comments, Kendall has had to deal with her fair share of negative comments written and shared about her. This has played a part in the anxiety disorder that she currently deals with. Kendall has found that journaling and physical activity can help provide some relief when her anxiety is particularly bad.
Lizzo
The award-winning singer and performer Lizzo is known for her strong sense of self-confidence. However, she has dealt with anxiety for much of her life. As she has gotten older, she has learned that practicing good self-care regularly can help tremendously. When talking about self-care, she doesn’t just mean pampering herself at the spa but rather fueling her body through nutritious meals and getting regular exercise.
Owen Wilson
Owen Wilson is an incredibly talented actor who has often played more light-hearted characters. However, many people may not know that he has been through a lot in his life, even dating back to when he was just a child. Owen has been honest about how he had a lot of questions and concerns about life growing up that were never really addressed at the time, one of the main ones being the impact of death. Owen would find himself dealing with some pretty severe depression in adulthood, and he ultimately attempted to take his own life in 2007. Luckily, his attempt was unsuccessful, and he got the help that he needed. While he admits that he doesn’t always feel great, he has learned to appreciate good mental health days when they come.
Lil Wayne
Rapper Lil Wayne or Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. began struggling with mental health issues when he was just a child. In fact, when he was just 12 years old, he used a gun in an attempt to take his own life. He claimed this was only an accident for years, not wanting others to know that he had been suicidal. However, as he got older, he eventually learned that to be vulnerable about one’s mental health struggles is quite brave and can help show others that they are not alone and have nothing to be ashamed of.
Simone Biles
While still quite young, Simone Biles is known as one of the most talented and successful gymnasts of all time. However, the enormous pressures that she has faced and the publicly known abuse she has endured at the hands of former doctor Larry Nassar have caused her to suffer immensely from anxiety. While competing in the Tokyo Olympics in July of 2021, Simone made the difficult and controversial decision to withdraw from both the team and all-around finals. While she was met with some criticism, she showed the value of putting one’s mental health first and foremost.
Ryan Reynolds
Many people who know actor Ryan Reynolds associate him with films like “Deadpool” or “The Proposal”; they might not be aware of the different mental health challenges he has faced throughout his life. Ryan has been honest about his ongoing battles with anxiety and has admitted that overworking himself has often been his unsuccessful attempt to cope with his anxiety. He has made it clear that he does not believe that the topic of mental health is talked about as often as it should be, and he hopes that his vulnerability will help others in some way.
Mental illness does not discriminate and can affect anyone, regardless of race, gender, background, or ethnicity. It can even affect those who seem to have it all, like celebrities. Some celebrities have come forward to help normalize discussion focusing on mental health such as Kendall Jenner who struggles with anxiety and Owen Wilson who has been candid about his suicide attempt and journey through depression. It may be hard to wrap your head around how people with wealth, status, and fame could possibly struggle with their mental health. However, it is important to recognize that no matter what you have accomplished in life, you may still find yourself battling with mental health issues at one point or another. If you are currently struggling with any type of mental health disorder, know that you are not alone and there is help available to you. Call our Achieve Concierge team at (619) 393-5871 today to learn more.