Celebrities and Mental Illness 

Nowadays, our society is obsessed with celebrities and what they are doing. From upcoming projects and family dramas to the diets and exercise regimes they follow, we’re always intrigued and want to know more about them. This kind of “power” that celebrities have over us should be used for good when we are talking about overcoming mental health stigma. 

Some celebrities like Kanye West (bipolar disorder) and Pete Davidson (borderline personality disorder) have been very open about their mental health issues. When they talk about how they deal with their illness, they are reducing stigma and setting an example for others to not be afraid to seek the help they need.  

There are some other celebrities who instead of reducing stigma and motivating others to seek help, talk about how they refuse to take medication because they don’t need it or it stifles their creativity. These messages can be counterproductive because some people who may need medication would hesitate to go to a doctor.  

People aren’t always too open to discussion about mental health, especially when it’s about their own. I think that it’s great when celebrities speak about taboo topics like this one and set a healthy example for their fans. I believe that by doing things like this, no matter how big or how small the effort is, celebrities are reducing the stigma on mental health and encouraging others to get the help they need. 

Written by: Vivian Daher 

Gonçalves, I. (2019, May 15). The Example Celebrities With Mental Illness Set. Retrieved from https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/May-2019/The-Example-Celebrities-With-Mental-Illness-Set