Something extraordinary is happening in the world concerning mental health. More than I have seen in my lifetime, a focus on mental health is everywhere--on the news, in movies, across commercials, and at work and school. Mental health is such a focus across our country that many celebrities are standing up and using their status to help reduce the stigma that sometimes accompanies mental health discussions. 

The list of celebrities opening up about their mental illness experiences and work in therapy to resolve mental health issues is long, from Gina Rodriguez to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and many more. Here’s a shortlist of only some of the famous people using their celebrity to help us all focus on being mentally well:

• Kristen Bell

• Hayden Panettiere

• Catherine Zeta-Jones

• Simone Biles

• Demi Lovato

• Kanye West

• Pete Wentz

• Brooke Shields

• Ryan Reynolds

• Halle Berry

• Taraji P. Henson

These celebrities are literally changing the world by focusing on their mental health. 

Although support for mental health is omnipresent, we have to ask ourselves why so many people do not seek the help they need to improve their mental wellness. For many, the issue of stigma is more potent than mental wellness celebrity endorsements. However, it is essential to note that many people experiencing mental illness do not stand out from the crowd because we are the crowd. 

Mental health concerns are so common that the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has pulled together “stigma-busting” numbers that clearly articulate the simple fact that most of us struggle with mental health issues at some point in our life. If you take a few minutes to look at NAMI’s numbers, you might be surprised to read that more than 50 million people experienced a mental illness in 2019 alone. That represents nearly 21% of us, according to NAMI. Yet, NAMI points out that less than 50% of those experiencing a mental illness were treated in 2019. 

Those of us who experience a mental illness often feel alone, like there is something wrong with us that we just don’t want to talk about with anyone out of fear of judgment, ridicule, or worse. A good counselor can help you explore the issues contributing to your experience, which can have a ripple effect. When you participate in counseling to improve your mental wellbeing, your family can become healthier, your friendships can become healthier, and your community can become healthier, too. In fact, the world can be healthier simply because you took the time to focus on yourself and your mental wellbeing. 

So, is it time to be your own celebrity and endorse mental health by participating in counseling? You just know when you are ready, and if you are ready, we are prepared to help! At Indigo Path Collective, you can schedule a free, 15-minute consultation to see if counseling at our practice is right for you. 

Take a seat. Let’s talk.