6 celebrities who were brutally honest about their mental health struggles
Even stars with completely glamorous-seeming lives have had their dark moments
PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/MOMINA MUSTEHSAN
There's an unfortunate stigma surrounding mental health that still keeps many people from talking about their own, especially in public.
That's why it's so refreshing when celebrities use their platforms to open up about their own mental health. When public figures don't shy away from these difficult conversations, more people may be encouraged to seek the help they need, plus simply remember that they're not alone. Even stars with completely glamorous-seeming lives have had their dark moments.
Here are six times, celebrities got extremely real about mental health.
1. Momina Mustehsan:
In an Instagram post, the Afreen Afreen singer got brutally honest about mental health. "Mental health is just as important as physical health, and we all hit points in our lives sometimes when all seems to be falling out of our control," Momina wrote. And this is not the first time either the Awaari famed singer has talked about depression.
Momina revealed she has also experienced severe panic attacks few days ago. “I woke up having a severe panic attack because I almost hit my threshold. Yes, those are real. And they crush and paralyze you for the moment. But that moment stays for as long as you let it stay. I always try dealing with all my problems by myself, but I reach out to people close to me when I know I could use help. Please know that it’s okay to reach out for help. It doesn’t make you weak, it makes you human.”
2. Imran Abbas:
"Mental illness isn’t a joke," the 35-year-old actor wrote on Instagram after model Anam Tanoli committed suicide. "Please don't look down to people suffering from depression, mental ailment, stress and anxiety."
He further added, "Before judging anyone or making fun of someone (specially who is deceased and who can't explain/ clarify her/himself) we must look around and try to be nice to people who are suffering from the circumstances which can lead a person to suicide( which certainly is one of the most forbidden acts in our religion)"
"In our society it's so convenient to slut-shame an actress and model, scoff at anyone for any rhyme or reason. Making jokes about people who’ve committed suicide does not make you a comedian. It is not dark humor, it is condemn-able humor," continued Imran.
3. Deepika Padukone:
“I never thought about what people are going to think of me, will I be offered films or whether it will affect my popularity,” the Padmaavat actor said in a mental health awareness event.
The starlet founded Live Love Laugh Foundation (TLLLF) in 2015 for people battling depression.
“With the help of the foundation, we want to change the narrative around mental health in India. Why only Bollywood? We want everybody in influential positions in the country to speak out about these issues,” Deepika said. “Now that you’re asking me, maybe I should have since I just delivered a 300-crore hit (Padmavat). But no, I never thought about what people will think of me, or how it would affect my work or if I would be offered any films. None of these thoughts ever crossed my mind."
The 32-year-old star was never worried about how speaking about her depression might affect her box office numbers.
“I was only thinking about how I felt about the issue: There was a lot of stigma attached to it. I thought if I could save even one life by sharing my story, everything I set out to do would make sense. And today, when I see the kind of impact we’ve had in the lives of thousands of people, it is very gratifying,” she commented.
4. Anushka Sharma:
"I have anxiety. And I’m treating my anxiety. I’m on medication for my anxiety. Why am I saying this? Because it’s a completely normal thing," the Sui Dhaaga star told Vogue.
"It’s a biological problem. In my family there have been cases of depression. More and more people should talk openly about it. There is nothing shameful about it or something to hide. If you had a constant stomach pain, wouldn’t you go to the doctor? It’s that simple. I want to make this my mission, to take any shame out of this, to educate people about this."
5. Zayn Malik:
“I found it really frustrating that, even now that I was being upfront about what the issue was, some people still found reasons to doubt it. But that’s the industry. It’s an aspect of this job that I have to deal with, and I’m trying to accept it," Zayn wrote in an excerpt of his book that was published by Time.
"The thing is, I love performing. I love the buzz. I don’t want to do any other job. That’s why my anxiety is so upsetting and difficult to explain. It’s this thing that swells up and blocks out your rational thought processes. Even when you know you want to do something, know that it will be good for you, that you’ll enjoy it when you’re doing it, the anxiety is telling you a different story. It’s a constant battle within yourself."
6. Kendall Jenner:
"I have such debilitating anxiety because of everything going on that I literally wake up in the middle of the night with full-on panic attacks," she told Cara Delevingne in an interview.
"Where do I even start? Everything is so horrible, it’s hard to name one thing. I just think that the world needs so much love. I wish I had the power to send Cupid around the planet, as cheesy as that sounds. You go online and you see everyone saying the worst things to each other, and it’s hard to stay positive. It’s hard not to get eaten alive by all the negativity."
Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
That's why it's so refreshing when celebrities use their platforms to open up about their own mental health. When public figures don't shy away from these difficult conversations, more people may be encouraged to seek the help they need, plus simply remember that they're not alone. Even stars with completely glamorous-seeming lives have had their dark moments.
Here are six times, celebrities got extremely real about mental health.
1. Momina Mustehsan:
In an Instagram post, the Afreen Afreen singer got brutally honest about mental health. "Mental health is just as important as physical health, and we all hit points in our lives sometimes when all seems to be falling out of our control," Momina wrote. And this is not the first time either the Awaari famed singer has talked about depression.
Momina revealed she has also experienced severe panic attacks few days ago. “I woke up having a severe panic attack because I almost hit my threshold. Yes, those are real. And they crush and paralyze you for the moment. But that moment stays for as long as you let it stay. I always try dealing with all my problems by myself, but I reach out to people close to me when I know I could use help. Please know that it’s okay to reach out for help. It doesn’t make you weak, it makes you human.”
2. Imran Abbas:
"Mental illness isn’t a joke," the 35-year-old actor wrote on Instagram after model Anam Tanoli committed suicide. "Please don't look down to people suffering from depression, mental ailment, stress and anxiety."
He further added, "Before judging anyone or making fun of someone (specially who is deceased and who can't explain/ clarify her/himself) we must look around and try to be nice to people who are suffering from the circumstances which can lead a person to suicide( which certainly is one of the most forbidden acts in our religion)"
"In our society it's so convenient to slut-shame an actress and model, scoff at anyone for any rhyme or reason. Making jokes about people who’ve committed suicide does not make you a comedian. It is not dark humor, it is condemn-able humor," continued Imran.
3. Deepika Padukone:
“I never thought about what people are going to think of me, will I be offered films or whether it will affect my popularity,” the Padmaavat actor said in a mental health awareness event.
The starlet founded Live Love Laugh Foundation (TLLLF) in 2015 for people battling depression.
“With the help of the foundation, we want to change the narrative around mental health in India. Why only Bollywood? We want everybody in influential positions in the country to speak out about these issues,” Deepika said. “Now that you’re asking me, maybe I should have since I just delivered a 300-crore hit (Padmavat). But no, I never thought about what people will think of me, or how it would affect my work or if I would be offered any films. None of these thoughts ever crossed my mind."
The 32-year-old star was never worried about how speaking about her depression might affect her box office numbers.
“I was only thinking about how I felt about the issue: There was a lot of stigma attached to it. I thought if I could save even one life by sharing my story, everything I set out to do would make sense. And today, when I see the kind of impact we’ve had in the lives of thousands of people, it is very gratifying,” she commented.
4. Anushka Sharma:
"I have anxiety. And I’m treating my anxiety. I’m on medication for my anxiety. Why am I saying this? Because it’s a completely normal thing," the Sui Dhaaga star told Vogue.
"It’s a biological problem. In my family there have been cases of depression. More and more people should talk openly about it. There is nothing shameful about it or something to hide. If you had a constant stomach pain, wouldn’t you go to the doctor? It’s that simple. I want to make this my mission, to take any shame out of this, to educate people about this."
5. Zayn Malik:
“I found it really frustrating that, even now that I was being upfront about what the issue was, some people still found reasons to doubt it. But that’s the industry. It’s an aspect of this job that I have to deal with, and I’m trying to accept it," Zayn wrote in an excerpt of his book that was published by Time.
"The thing is, I love performing. I love the buzz. I don’t want to do any other job. That’s why my anxiety is so upsetting and difficult to explain. It’s this thing that swells up and blocks out your rational thought processes. Even when you know you want to do something, know that it will be good for you, that you’ll enjoy it when you’re doing it, the anxiety is telling you a different story. It’s a constant battle within yourself."
6. Kendall Jenner:
"I have such debilitating anxiety because of everything going on that I literally wake up in the middle of the night with full-on panic attacks," she told Cara Delevingne in an interview.
"Where do I even start? Everything is so horrible, it’s hard to name one thing. I just think that the world needs so much love. I wish I had the power to send Cupid around the planet, as cheesy as that sounds. You go online and you see everyone saying the worst things to each other, and it’s hard to stay positive. It’s hard not to get eaten alive by all the negativity."
Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.