Humans are overly fixated on the things we can see, often ignoring the unseen aspects of life. And that includes our mental health, along with that of others. If we see someone looking good, making money, and living it up, we assume there couldn’t possibly be anything wrong in their lives. But appearances can be deceiving. And a person’s inner workings tell the truth of how they’re experiencing the world. It’s our job as a culture to believe people when they say they’re not doing well and need to take some time away.

These 7 celebrities advocated for themselves, took a mental health break and came back stronger than ever.

Naomi Osaka

In 2018, Naomi Osaka burst onto the tennis scene, collecting Grand Slam titles all over the place. But in 2021, during the French Open, she announced, via social media, that she was withdrawing from the tournament. The day before she had been fined for skipping out on mandatory media interviews. Then 23, Osaka shared that after winning her first Grand Slam in 2018, she suffered from anxiety and depression, conditions which were often exacerbated by the interviews. After her break, Naomi lost the Australian Open but shared that she was still happy because she had not only improved her mental health but was having more fun on the court.

Simone Biles

In 2020, Simone Biles withdrew from the Olympics. She cited a case of the twisties, a mental block that disorients a gymnast and can not only threaten their performance but prove dangerous in the miscalculation of a move. Later, she withdrew from the individual all-arounds, citing a need to prioritize her mental health. She would be gone for two years. She returned this year and was triumphant, winning the gold medal at the US Classic. Biles is now on the path to the Paris Olympics in 2024.

Gabby Douglas

In 2017, Gabby Douglas shared that she too was among one of Larry Nassar’s many victims of sexual abuse as she prepared for the 2016 Olympics. Later in 2022 Douglas shared that she was stepping away from social media in order to focus on her mental health and heal from not only Nassar’s abuse but the intense scrutiny she underwent being in first African American to become the Olympic individual all-around champion.

Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle had no idea what she would endure becoming a part of the British Royal Family. The mistreatment she received from the media, as well as other members of the family sent her into a depression, complete with suicidal ideation. Once she realized that her limits were being tested, she reached out for help. She asked the Royal Family, the institution, for help. They told her there was nothing they could do for her because it wouldn’t be good for the institution. As a result, Harry and Meghan stepped back from the royal family roles in 2020 and then eventually away renounced their titles altogether.

Michelle Williams

In 2018, Michelle Williams stepped away from her leading role in the Broadway Play “Once On The Island.” At the time of the announcement, it was unclear what illness Williams was suffering from. But later that same year Williams announced that she had checked herself into a mental health facility. Years, later, Williams has written a book about her mental journey and encouraging others to check in. She speaks all over the country about mental health work and has become an inspiration to many.

Big Sean

In 2018, rapper Big Sean canceled an entire tour. Later, he claimed that the decision was a personal one. “I never really took the time out to nurture myself, to take care of myself. It took me a lot of depression having a lot of anxiety to realize something was off,” he said. “I’ve been getting myself together, getting my mind right. So I have been taking better care of myself.”

Megan Thee Stallion

Rapper Megan Thee Stallion has a bubbly and vivacious personality. But that doesn’t mean she hasn’t been through some things. In addition to losing both of her parents, she also suffered an assault from fellow rapper Tory Lanez. In addition to the injury, it was Megan’s reputation and not Tory’s that was questioned in the public eye. The scrutiny was heavy and came from fans and other artists. During Lanez’s trial, Megan went quiet and took some time away from the public. She also wasn’t present for Lanez’s sentencing, citing her mental health as the reason for her absence. Megan was quiet and unseen for months. But when she did return, she popped out looking fabulous, working out, reuniting with Cardi for another song and getting back to shutting down the stage.

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One such celebrity is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who has been very open about his battle with depression. In a 2018 interview with Express, Johnson revealed that he had been through some “dark times” and had suffered from depression since he was a teenager. He said that he had learned to cope with it through exercise, therapy, and talking about his feelings.

Another celebrity who has been vocal about her mental health struggles is Lady Gaga. In a 2019 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Gaga opened up about the trauma she had experienced and how it had led to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She also discussed how she copes with her mental health issues through therapy, medication, and self-care.

Similarly, singer Demi Lovato has been very open about her struggles with bipolar disorder and addiction. Lovato has used her platform to advocate for mental health awareness and to encourage others to seek help if they are struggling.

These are just a few examples of celebrities who have spoken out about their mental health struggles in recent years. By doing so, they are helping to break down the stigma surrounding mental illness and encouraging others to seek help if they need it.

The effects of these celebrities’ openness about their struggles have been significant. According to a study conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 46% of Americans say that hearing a celebrity talk about their mental health struggles has made them more likely to seek help for their own mental health issues.

Moreover, these celebrities are using their platforms to advocate for change. Lady Gaga, for example, founded the Born This Way Foundation, which aims to promote mental wellness and empower young people.

In conclusion, the decision by celebrities to speak out about their mental health struggles is an important step in breaking down the stigma surrounding mental illness. By sharing their experiences, they are helping to reduce the shame and isolation that many people feel when dealing with mental health issues. They are also helping to raise awareness and encourage others to seek help if they need it.

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• Emily Hutto is an Associate Video Producer & Editor for MedPage Today. She is based in Manhattan.

In this video, Jeremy Faust, MD, editor-in-chief of MedPage Today, sits down with Jessi Gold, MD, MS, an assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and Amanda Calhoun, MD, MPH, a psychiatry resident at the Yale Child Study Center in New Haven, Connecticut, to discuss the pros and cons of celebrities discussing mental health on social media.

The following is a transcript of their remarks:

Faust: I’m interested to hear both of your perspectives on how celebrities can help and hurt.

I’ll frame it like this: I know there’s a lot of data to show when a prominent famous person completes suicide, there’s been in some countries like a copycat effect — increased attempts and completions.

On the other hand, you have, I think for the first time that I can remember, people being very open about their mental health struggles. And instead of saying, “Oh, I’m a celebrity, I’m perfect, I have no problems,” [they say], “I don’t feel safe, I’m going to withdraw from the Olympics, because I don’t feel I can do that,” or, “I’m a senator, I’m going to go into Walter Reed and get mental health treatment.” I feel those are the extremes.

Does every celebrity need a primer on how to be a force for good in social media for kids?

Calhoun: So Dr. Gold and I have written about this. I think that some celebrities do it really, really well. I don’t know if they have an advisor or what, but I am very pro-celebrities disclosing their mental health struggles. I think it could be very effective. It has been very effective.

And I actually think, and I know Dr. Gold thinks this too, that we as psychiatrists really need to partner with celebrities more. We stay in these sort of ivory towers with this siloed research. The everyday person is not reading that. But if you were to partner with someone, like say Lizzo — I would love to partner with Lizzo about mental health —

Gold: Shout out, Lizzo.

Calhoun: Right? There are so many people who would be able to relate to that.

I actually just saw her in concert, and she had a lot in her concert about mental health. She talks a lot about body positivity. It was very, very moving to me, and I think that it resonated with a lot of people. I know it did.

And so I think celebrities very much have a big role to play, because people follow them, people look up to them, people relate to them, they think that [celebrities] are perfect like you said. So if they see that this person who they’ve always looked up to actually struggles with substance use or they struggle with depression — we’ve definitely seen in the data that it does lead to increased help-seeking behavior.

So yeah, I would love it if we would partner with celebrities more, psychiatrists. I think it would be actually quite life-changing.

Gold: It’s complicated too, right? I think we often hear about the extremes and not the spectrum of mental health. So we should not only be talking about mental health as it relates to suicide, and it should not be only when it is a negative outcome that is then publicized incorrectly — because there are lots of rules about talking about suicide in the media that no one follows.

It shouldn’t have to be us repeatedly saying, “Stop that. Don’t do that. That’s dangerous.” It should be like these self-disclosures like people like Simone Biles have done, [which] are wonderful and helpful. There are people that maybe would’ve never thought mental health applied to them in any capacity who sees the symptoms look different in a person that looks like them.

That’s really important, which is why we need multiple stories and not just an ambassador for all mental illness in celebrities, right? But we talk a lot more about the negative effects and people talking poorly about their experience with so-and-so.

I do think it’s important to think about what coaching looks like to tell your story, because if you talk about something, you have to be sure that it’s your experience, not everyone’s experience. And that if you didn’t like medication, that’s valid, but it doesn’t mean someone else might not. So I think it’s really important that those stories are told with facts and also couched in “this is my personal experience.”

Also when you tell stories, people self disclose to you. [Celebrities] are not doctors, and that’s really hard. As someone who has been open about my own mental health, I don’t even like to hold that for people and I’m not their doctor, even though I could be, right?

Self-disclosure breeds self-disclosure, which is part of the best thing about it. But if you’re not prepared to handle a bunch of people being like, “Well, when I was suicidal this happened,” “when I had that much anxiety and couldn’t do something, this is what happened.” That’s a lot for someone to hold who might be in an acute stage of recovery and had to make a comment.

Because celebrities often get found out because they do something bad, right? Like something is seen in the newspapers, and they don’t know what to do with that behavior. And so the behavior gets found out and they have to say, “Oh, by the way, it was anxiety,” or, “I was not nice to that reporter because I don’t like reporters and they make me anxious.” It comes up in those settings.

So we really need to be aware that somebody is in an acute state most of the time when that is happening and they’re probably not even ready to tell their story. I think that’s really hard too. Ideally you’d be ready for it, prepared for it, and supported through it, right?

Faust: Yeah. I mean, I’m actually thinking of a medical thing. I wrote about this in Slate a few years ago.

There was this moment where John McCain had this weird moment when he was not really making sense in the Senate and his PR team said, “He’s fine, he just was up late watching a baseball game.” And we learned down the road that he had a really serious problem that was life-threatening and ultimately was fatal.

I think the honest thing would’ve been to say, “Gosh, that was a little weird. I feel fine right now, but I’m going to go to my doctor and get it checked out just because I don’t know what’s going on. I’ve never had that happen to me, so we’ll update you.” Instead, there was an immediate spin to, “The senator’s fine. I’m fine, there’s no possible way I could be ill.”

Gold: Yeah, I mean that’s been the role of celebrity publicists for generations.

I wrote this piece about Taylor Swift for the Washington Post, but it was really about Judy Garland. It started with the history of Judy Garland’s mental health, and it was weaponized against her, really. The way publicists and studios were back then, that was the point of them. You only had one studio, and you did all films with one studio. It’s long been this weapon from various angles, and it shouldn’t be. It should be someone’s choice, but sometimes you can’t make a choice if you do something super public.

So you shouldn’t just say, “I’m fine.” There should be a way to tell that story without having to tell your whole story, I think. And I don’t know that we do very well in the nuance.

Calhoun: Yeah, I would agree with that for sure.

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One of the biggest challenges for celebrities dealing with mental health issues is the pressure to maintain a certain image. This pressure can come from fans, the media, and even the industry itself. Celebrities are expected to always be on top of their game, no matter what they are going through personally. This can be incredibly isolating, as it can be difficult to find support and understanding when you are expected to always be perfect.

Another challenge for celebrities is the constant scrutiny they face. Their every move is watched, analyzed, and criticized, which can be incredibly stressful. This can be especially damaging for those who are already struggling with mental health issues. The constant pressure to perform can exacerbate existing mental health problems, leading to a cycle of stress and anxiety.

One of the most common mental health issues facing celebrities is depression. Many celebrities struggle with feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness, often due to the pressure to maintain a certain image or the stress of their industry. Depression can be incredibly isolating, and it can be difficult for celebrities to find support and understanding when they are expected to always be happy and successful.

Anxiety is another common mental health issue among celebrities. The pressure to perform can lead to intense feelings of anxiety, which can be debilitating. Anxiety can also be triggered by the constant scrutiny that celebrities face. The fear of being judged, criticized, or misunderstood can be overwhelming, leading to panic attacks or other anxiety-related symptoms.

Addiction is also a significant issue for many celebrities. The stress of their industry can lead to drug and alcohol abuse, which can then lead to addiction. Addiction is often a way for celebrities to cope with the pressure and stress of their lives, but it can quickly spiral out of control. Addiction can be incredibly damaging to both the individual and those around them, and it can be difficult to get help when you are constantly in the public eye.

Eating disorders are also a common mental health issue for celebrities. The pressure to maintain a certain image can lead to unhealthy eating habits, such as restrictive diets or binge eating. Eating disorders can be incredibly damaging to both physical and mental health, and they can be difficult to overcome without proper support and treatment.

In conclusion, the realities of mental health for celebrities are far from glamorous. The pressure to maintain a certain image, the constant scrutiny, and the stress of their industry can all take a toll on their mental health. It is important to remember that celebrities are human too, and they need support and understanding when they are struggling with mental health issues. By raising awareness about the realities of mental health for celebrities, we can help to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage people to seek help when they need it.

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The high price of fame has been highlighted by many celebrities who have spoken openly about their struggles with mental health issues. From depression to anxiety, addiction to suicidal thoughts, many celebrities have suffered in silence while trying to cope with the pressures of fame.

One of the most prominent examples is the late Robin Williams, who battled depression and addiction for years. He once said, “I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up all alone. It’s not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone.” Williams’ death was a wake-up call to many in the industry, highlighting the need for mental health support for celebrities.

Another celebrity who has been vocal about her mental health struggles is Demi Lovato. She has battled addiction, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder. In an interview with People magazine, she said, “The more you talk about mental illness, the less of a stigma it will have. It’s important to me that people know that there is hope out there.”

Other famous personalities who have opened up about their mental health struggles include Lady Gaga, Kanye West, Selena Gomez, and Justin Bieber. Each of them has spoken about their struggles with depression, anxiety, and addiction, highlighting the need for mental health support in the entertainment industry.

The high price of fame can be attributed to the constant scrutiny and pressure that celebrities face. They are under constant observation from the media and the public, who often expect them to maintain a perfect image. This pressure can lead to a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and addiction.

Moreover, the entertainment industry is notoriously competitive, and many celebrities feel the need to constantly outdo themselves to stay relevant. The constant pressure to perform can have a significant impact on their mental health, leading to burnout, anxiety, and stress.

In conclusion, the high price of fame is a real issue that has led to many mental health struggles among celebrities. The entertainment industry needs to do more to support its stars, whether it is through access to mental health resources or by creating a more supportive work environment. Celebrities who speak out about their struggles are helping to remove the stigma around mental health and encourage others to seek help when needed. It is time to acknowledge that fame comes at a cost, and that cost should not be the mental health of those who entertain us.

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awakened celebrities
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Whether you flip through a tabloid or log into social media, famous folks have pioneered numerous wellness trends, such as Gwenyth Paltrow’s Goop or Kate Hudson’s partnership with Fabletics athletic attire. There’s also been an influx of spiritual celebrities embracing mindfulness practice. 

Celebrities’ foray into Eastern traditions and meditation makes sense. Their jobs are often demanding, with extended hours on set or spent on the road touring. As such, they must stay centered in their mind and body.

This article will discuss how mindfulness and creativity go hand in hand and highlight how different celebrities have adopted Eastern spirituality in their daily lives.

Mindfulness Fosters Creativity

The influx of spiritually-awakened celebrities may have many wondering whether meditation and mindfulness are simply fads. Nevertheless, there could be something more to it.

Actors and musicians may come from entirely different worlds, but they all have one thing in common: They are highly creative. For that reason, the widespread adoption of mindfulness in Hollywood makes sense.

Research shows that mindfulness practice can foster creativity by improving concentration and open-mindedness. Additionally, it aims to eliminate fear and a sense of being judged. This prompts a flow of thought, promotes risk-taking and encourages an uncommon response to different situations — all associated with creative tendencies.

Musicians need creativity to write songs and perform in front of audiences. Actors must use their imagination when playing a role. The same can be said for artists, authors and producers of all types. For them, meditation, sitting in silence and breathing for relaxation strengthens their creative abilities. 

6 Spiritually-Awakened Celebrities

Some big names are now recognized as spiritual celebrities. From Russell Brand to Jennifer Aniston, famous folks from all walks of life and at different points in their careers gain peace of mind through Eastern spirituality. Here are six celebrities embracing mindfulness.

1. Olivia Newton-John

Although the late Olivia Newton-John followed Christianity, she was interested in all religions, particularly Dr. Deepak Chopra’s writings. Her song “Let Go Let God” from her “Grace and Gratitude” album even touched on surrendering in search of strength. 

While listening to the song, you’ll hear the infamous Buddhist chant “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo” by the monk Nichiren. The mantra sheds light on one’s ability to overcome life’s greatest challenges.

Newton-John’s awakened spirituality resulted from her breast cancer returning in 2017 and 2020. Breast cancer can be tricky to diagnose. While middle-aged women are more at risk of their breast tissue accumulating cancerous cells, women under 40 may still develop the disease. Therefore, scheduling annual check-ups and performing self-exams for abnormal lumps is essential.

2. Alicia Keys

Grammy-award winner Alicia Keys is another spiritually-awakened celebrity who’s turned to mindfulness. Keys adopted a Kundalini meditation practice, setting her alarm clock early for a grounding meditation as the sun rises. Kundalini requires you to develop and reflect on an intention or mantra for a few minutes.

Keys is so serious about her spirituality that she partnered with Dr. Chopra’s health company Chopra Global to develop a free 21-day meditation program. “Activating the Divine Feminine: The Path to Wholeness” helps listeners tap into feminine power, allowing them to find joy and live a more fulfilled life. 

Participants spend 20 minutes meditating daily through guided meditations and storytelling voiced by Keys and Dr. Chopra.

3. Russell Brand

When thinking about mindfulness in Hollywood, Russell Brand is likely one of the first spiritually-awakened celebrities that come to mind. 

Brand turned to transcendental meditation, meditating for an hour daily for nearly a decade to help himself overcome drug and sex addiction. Since then, he’s come out with a podcast called “Under the Skin,” in which he speaks to different people about all things mindfulness-related — living with intention, being happy, spirituality and wellness.

Brand has spoken about transcendental meditation several times, noting that his practice enables him to live more presently. Additionally, he explains how meditation has given him purpose outside of his work as an actor and comedian. 

“The aim becomes a kind of service of a higher or different good, not just contained within my materialistic or my individualistic, rationalistic needs. How can I relate to people differently? Is it possible that every interaction I have ends with that person feeling a little better?”

Transcendental meditation involves a silent mantra repetition to cultivate focus and intention. Practitioners often find that transcendental meditation relieves anxiety, depression and stress. Studies also show that using a mantra encourages emotional self-regulation in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

4. Emma Watson

Only a handful of celebrities have mastered getting in tune with their inner world like Emma Watson has. In 2014, Watson shared that she became a certified yoga instructor between film projects. She also once spent a week at a silent retreat in Canada.

Silent retreats are often days-worth of isolation, requiring you to unplug from your devices and honoring time for reflection. People from all walks of life — whether a newly-divorced single mom or a top executive of a company — attend retreats to separate themselves from the chaotic world.

Silent rumination is a challenging practice for many people. However, silence is conducive to healing and finding balance. When you sit in silence, you learn to let go of anger, hurt or other emotions to move ahead.

5. Paul McCartney

If you ask Paul McCartney about the key to longevity, he’ll likely tell you it’s vegetarianism, yoga and meditation. The Beatles singer practices yoga regularly, doing stretches each morning to start the day. 

A practitioner of Transcendental Meditation, McCartney stumbled upon Eastern spirituality in the 1960s when George Harrison’s wife encouraged the band to meet with spiritual guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. 

The Beatles helped popularize Transcendental Meditation afterward. Today, Jerry Seinfeld, Oprah Winfrey, Hugh Jackman, Cameron Diaz and Ellen Degeneres are all said to have adopted a practice.

6. Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston has used meditation to improve decades-long poor sleeping habits. Today, Aniston turns off her devices and charges them in a different room before meditating and going to bed.

However long she can give her meditation practice suffices — if that means she can only sit for five minutes, it’s just enough time to calm herself down. Depending on her needs, she may use a meditation app with a guided exercise or write down what she’s grateful for. For this reason, her spirituality becomes highly personal. 

Studies suggest that mindfulness may reduce sleep disturbances, although more research is needed as evidence. 

Spiritual Celebrities Promote Mindfulness for All

Celebrities significantly influence everyday people, particularly fans and younger generations who aspire to be like them. As such, their promotion of Eastern Spirituality and mindfulness encourages others to pursue the same. Of course, while many argue that celebrity trends aren’t worth following, this is one movement we might all adopt.

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However, is there any truth to this assumption? While it’s true that celebrities are more visible and thus more likely to be scrutinized for their struggles, there is no evidence to suggest they are any more likely to suffer from mental health disorders than anyone else.

In fact, mental health disorders are incredibly common – according to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 1 in 5 adults in the United States experiences some form of mental illness each year. This means that celebrities are just as likely as anyone else to experience mental health challenges.

So why do we often perceive celebrities as more prone to mental health disorders? One reason may be that we tend to focus more on their struggles than we do on those of “regular” people. When a celebrity opens up about their mental health challenges, it makes headlines – and because we’re bombarded with news about famous people all the time, it can create the impression that these issues are more prevalent among celebrities.

Additionally, the lifestyles of many celebrities can be incredibly stressful and demanding. They often work long hours, travel frequently, and face intense public scrutiny. These factors can certainly contribute to mental health challenges like anxiety and depression – but again, they affect many people outside of the celebrity sphere as well.

It’s also worth noting that many celebrities are in a position to seek out high-quality mental health care, which can make it easier for them to manage their symptoms. For those without the same resources, accessing mental health services can be a significant challenge.

Ultimately, it’s important to recognize that mental health disorders can affect anyone, regardless of their status or fame. While it’s important to support those in the public eye who are speaking out about their struggles, we should also remember that there are many people who are dealing with the same challenges behind closed doors. By reducing stigma and increasing access to mental health care for all, we can help ensure that everyone has the support they need to manage their mental health.

The post Do Celebrities Suffer from Mental Health Disorders More Than the Rest of Us? appeared first on Minds Valley.

One of the most common mental health issues that celebrities experience is anxiety. The constant attention and pressure to maintain a certain image can lead to feelings of worry and stress. Additionally, the fear of making mistakes in the public eye can amplify these feelings and lead to a cycle of anxiety.

Depression is another common mental health issue among celebrities. The pressure to maintain a certain level of success and fame can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. Additionally, the isolation that comes with fame can lead to a lack of social connections and support, which can exacerbate feelings of depression.

Substance abuse is also a prevalent issue among celebrities. The stress and pressure of being in the public eye can lead some to turn to drugs or alcohol as a form of escape. Unfortunately, this can lead to a cycle of addiction that is difficult to break.

Despite the prevalence of these issues, many celebrities are hesitant to seek help. There is a stigma surrounding mental health that can make it difficult for individuals to acknowledge their struggles and seek treatment. Additionally, the fear of losing their career or public image can prevent some from seeking help.

It is important to remember that celebrities are human beings and are just as vulnerable to mental health issues as anyone else. It is essential that we work to remove the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage individuals to seek help when they need it. Additionally, we must prioritize the mental health and well-being of celebrities and provide them with the support and resources they need to thrive in the public eye.

In conclusion, the dark side of the spotlight is a very real issue that affects many celebrities. The constant scrutiny, pressure, and lack of privacy can lead to a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. It is essential that we work to remove the stigma surrounding mental health and prioritize the well-being of those in the public eye. By doing so, we can create a more compassionate and supportive society for all individuals.

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Black woman embracing herself, loving herself and prioritizing mental health.

Black women are beginning to prioritize their mental health in all aspects. They are traveling the world, maintaining the “soft girl” persona, updating their skin care routines, doing low impact workouts and more. Overall, Black women are living their best lives unapologetically.

Many Black women believe that the first step to achieving the highest level of self-love is boosting their mental health. If their mental health is prioritized, then they can manifest their wildest dreams. While social media can be a falsified perception of reality, there is one thing that is true: Black women are growing. They are prioritizing themselves and breaking generational trauma. Anyone can scroll on their screen on any given day and see a woman living their best stress-free life.

Black celebrities are using their platform to encourage their followers to prioritize their mental health. They are opening up more and sharing their journey with the world, which is inspiring to the community. Whether it’s through social media, a television show or a musical anthem, these Black celebrities are doing more than prioritizing their mental health and self love. They are empowering other women to love themselves, take care of their mental health and rebuild their confidence.

Check out these Black celebrities who have taught the community how to love themselves to the fullest and prioritize mental health and wellness.

Speak Positive Affirmations like Coco Jones

Photo credit: Todd Owyoung

Speaking positivity in your life can take you places you wouldn’t imagine. Whether its praying or chanting affirmations throughout the day, giving yourself grace allows you to change your mindset. Actress and singer Coco Jones is using her platform to show Black women what that mental health practice looks like.

In her mid teenage years, Jones appeared on the Disney Channel original movie “Let It Shine,” and was signed to a label. However, shortly after she was dropped and found her life at a standstill.

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“I got signed at 15, and then I got dropped at around 16, turning 17, so I was just like, ‘what do I do? I’m out here by myself. I don’t have a team. I don’t have management,’” she said in a recent interview with New York radio station Hot 97. “That was very scary and sad. Not having any clue of what was going to change for me or if it ever was.”

She also endured colorism throughout her career, which took a toll on her mental health. Although Jones feared her situation would never change she knew that giving up was not an option. She relinquished her fears of starting over and started pouring into herself.

Now, Jones stars as Hillary Banks in Peacock’s “Bel-Air” and recently released an EP titled “What I Didn’t Tell You.” In the Hot 97 interview, she described this chapter in her life as a “renaissance moment.” It all began when she began to speak positive affirmations over herself and her career.

“Psychologically, seeing other lighter girls get every job can mess with your literal mental health as a kid as you’re coming up in this world,” she said. “That’s another reason to why I make songs like “Caliber” on my EP because what I’m really saying is I have standards.”

She said that she is intentional with the words in her music because they are powerful and she wants girls to speak life over themselves.

Loving Your Body like Lizzo

Photo credit: Jim Dyson

Loving your body with all of its curves can be difficult especially with social media and today’s beauty standards. The negativity circling certain body types can greatly impact ones mental health. Lizzo is someone who continuously encourages people to look in the mirror and accept every part of who they are.

When Lizzo’s single “Truth Hurts” hit the streets, the lyrics invoked strong feelings from everyone who listened. It was an anthem for body positivity. The vocalist, flutist, Grammy-award winner, continues to incorporate positivity within her music to eliminate any false narratives society placed on Black women.

Since her body is the topic of discussion by many trolls and haters, she established Yitty, which is a shapewear and intimates brand for all shapes and sizes. She recently celebrated the brand’s one year anniversary on Instagram with a stunning, bedazzled ensemble. Yitty also announced a “YOUR SKIN,” line, which is a gender affirming line that will sell items, such as binder tops and tucking thongs.

Lizzo dedicates her time and energy to make everyone feel and look great. Despite your size or identity, the thought of being you is enough, and Lizzo makes sure that everyone embraces that.

Address Generational Trauma Head On like Fantasia

Photo credit: Dave Kotinsky

Addressing generational issues can be hard, and they really can impact mental health. Millennials and Gen Z have taken the step to change their current life trajectories by confronting their past. R&B singer Fantasia decided to tackle her family’s generational trauma head on and go back to school to pursue higher education.

Fantasia told PEOPLE that her children inspired her to enroll in college. The 38-year-old singer wants to break the generational curses that exist in her family.

“I’m a businesswoman now and I desire to continue to sharpen my sword and better my craft,” she told PEOPLE. “I want to break generational curses. When it comes to my family, my girls, my children, I want to show them that no matter what she’s been through, you can always get back and go after it again, and that’s what I am doing.”

The American Idol winner said that her grandmother influenced a lot of her decisions in life.

“My grandmother used to tell me anything worth having is worth fighting for, and I want other people to see that if you just stay in the ring, you’ll get to where you’re going,” she said.

Fantasia didn’t let anything deter her from pursuing higher education and inspiring the next generation in her family. She uses her platform to encourage people to reach for their goals, pursue their dreams and address their past traumas to fully embrace their future and improve their mental health.

Form a Sisterhood like Mary J. Blige

Photo credit: Scott Dudelson

Living in this world alone is not healthy for Black women’s mental health. There is power in divine femininity and unity amongst Black women. Communicating and relying on your girls for companionship soothes your mental health. Black women should have open conversations about their realties. Mary J. Blige is showing Black women the importance of sisterhood with BET’s “The Wine Down with Mary J. Blige.”

She has consistently created a space of refuge for Black women with her music. Now, the “Power” actress is in her era of self-love, and her talk show is an extension of that. The show is a safe space for her friends to open up about their different journeys. The first episode, which featured Taraji P Henson and Caresha “Yung Miami” Brownlee, explored relationships, sex and grief.

The episode showed all three women learning from and uplifting each other. It showed the power of sisterhood and love. Your sisters will be the ones to uplift you in the dark times and celebrate you during the good times. One simple conversation with your girlfriends can be therapeutic. Blige shows Black women how to not only love themselves, but also form a sisterhood that will do the same.

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The post Black Celebrities Are Teaching Us The Best Mental Health Practices appeared first on Minds Valley.