In a recent interview with “60 Minutes Australia,” country singer Luke Combs opened up about having a strain of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (better known as OCD) called purely obsessional OCD, describing it as being “particularly wicked.” As the singer opened up about his struggles with the disorder, he inadvertently launched a discussion across different social media outlets where users felt free to open up about their own experiences with OCD and mental health as a whole.
Being the observant person that I am, this news felt quite familiar to me. My mind almost immediately brought me back to when I’d seen similar headlines about celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Selena Gomez talking about their mental health issues or disabilities in the past. As someone who has struggled with mental health before, these stories piqued my interest further, and I began my search to find more famous people who have spoken out. Frankly, I was surprised by just how many I found. In a world where, in the past, mental health was seen as unimportant or a hoax, it’s comforting to know that more people are now shedding light on mental struggles, and doing so in ways that reach almost every aspect of society. This shift is bringing us into a more open and vulnerable world— one where individuals that struggle with mental health can connect with others going through similar experiences.
Two great examples of celebrities who struggle with mental health are movie and TV stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who has openly discussed his lifelong struggles with depression, and Kristen Bell, who is a large advocate for anxiety and depression. In addition, Bell also works as a mental health ambassador for the company Hers, starring in commercials, sharing her experiences, and promoting the company’s online mental health resources. They are consistently proving that, while many celebrities may seem out of touch, they are still human beings who experience mental health issues. As these celebrities open up about their mental health struggles, not only do they become more relatable to their audience, but are also able to use their influence to provide help and relief to those who need it.
Along with just advocating for mental health, many other well-known celebrities have chosen to spend their money founding or investing in organizations to push forward this cause. In 2012, Gaga and her mother co-founded the Born This Way foundation, their mission being to provide resources to young people struggling with mental health and work towards creating an overall “kinder, braver world.” By 2017, the two had trained 150,000 people in Mental Health First Aid, a training course that helps people understand how to identify and respond to mental illnesses and disorders. In 2022, the foundation reportedly had funded over 1,600 mental health focused projects in schools. Not only did Gaga speak out about her own struggles with mental illness, but she continuously works to spread awareness and give assistance to individuals struggling with mental illness.
When celebrities share their stories of struggle, they inadvertently change their image from one of glamour and perfection to something much more real and meaningful. While it is often difficult for celebrities to discuss their issues in front of countless people, this change in image generates a new community, either made up of existing fans or those drawn to said celebrity, because of their openness and struggles. It also brings like-minded individuals together where they can uplift one another and offer advice and assistance when needed. Despite the overwhelmingly positive effects of sharing their struggles with mental health, for one reason or another, many choose to ignore this large aspect of so many lives.
Even though there are many great examples of celebrities sharing their mental health struggles, many still choose to put themselves on a pedestal of perfection and keep their fans in the dark about their struggles and personal lives. A world where all celebrities used their renown and social power to make positive strides for mental health awareness and chose to do everything they could to provide assistance and resources to those who need them would indeed be a utopia that even the best science fiction writers couldn’t come up with. To some, this may be seen as an exaggeration. However, for those who struggle with mental illness, it is clear that this is a fact. Mental illnesses can become all consuming and, if left untreated, life ruining. Before finding other people who shared my struggles with mental health, I found myself often feeling alone and hopeless. Something as small as speaking out can change the lives of people struggling silently around the world.
