written by Sarah Doleschal (nuts&needles)
As we celebrate International Women's Day, it's essential to recognize the remarkable journey of women who have transformed their struggles with mental health into a force for change. This blog aims to shed light on the powerful narratives of women who not only overcame their battles with mental illnesses but have become advocates, breaking the pervasive stigma surrounding mental health.
Understanding the Mental Health Stigma
Mental health stigma disproportionately affects women, often leaving their battles in the shadows. Despite the prevalence of these issues, societal norms frequently contribute to a culture of silence. It's crucial to understand the depth of this stigma to foster a more supportive and empathetic environment. The impact of mental health stigma extends into various aspects of women's lives, affecting relationships, professional pursuits, and overall well-being. By unraveling these complexities, we pave the way for a more informed and compassionate society.
Inspiring Female Mental Health Advocates
The following 12 women have bravely opened up about their Mental Health struggles and therefore inspired other's to do so, too.
Chrissy Teigen
In 2017 Chrissy opened up in an essay she wrote for Glamour about her postpartum depression: "I’m speaking up now because I want people to know it can happen to anybody and I don’t want people who have it to feel embarrassed or to feel alone. [...] I also just didn’t think it could happen to me. I have a great life. I have all the help I could need: John, my mother (who lives with us), a nanny. But postpartum does not discriminate. [...] I couldn’t control it. And that’s part of the reason it took me so long to speak up: I felt selfish, icky, and weird saying aloud that I’m struggling. Sometimes I still do."
Miley Cyrus
In an interview with Elle Miley Cyrus opened up about her depression:
"It's more of an issue than people really want to talk about. Because people don't know how to talk about being depressed—that it's totally okay to feel sad. I went through a time where I was really depressed. Like, I locked myself in my room and my dad had to break my door down. It was a lot to do with, like, I had really bad skin, and I felt really bullied because of that. But I never was depressed because of the way someone else made me feel, I just was depressed.
And every person can benefit from talking to somebody. I'm the most antimedication person, but some people need medicine, and there was a time where I needed some too. So many people look at [my depression] as me being ungrateful, but that is not it—I can't help it. There's not much that I'm closed off about, and the universe gave me all that so I could help people feel like they don't have to be something they're not or feel like they have to fake happy. There's nothing worse than being fake happy."
Demi Lovato
Over the course of numerous years, the pop sensation Demi Lovato has been vocal about her challenges with addiction and mental health. During a presentation at the National Council for Behavioral Health in Washington, D.C., she expressed, “I think it’s important that people no longer look at mental illness as something taboo to talk about. It’s something that’s extremely common, one in five adults has a mental illness, so basically everyone is essentially connected to this problem and this epidemic. The problem with mental illness is people don't look at it as a physical illness. When you think about it, the brain is actually the most complex organ in your body. We need to treat it like a physical illness and take it seriously.”
Emma Stone
"The first time I had a panic attack I was sitting in my friend's house, and I thought the house was burning down. I called my mom and she brought me home, and for the next three years it just would not stop," Emma Stone told the Wall Street Journal.
"I would ask my mom to tell me exactly how the day was going to be, then ask again 30 seconds later. I just needed to know that no one was going to die and nothing was going to change."
Carrie Fisher
"I have a chemical imbalance that, in its most extreme state, will lead me to a mental hospital," Carrie Fisher revealed to Diane Sawyer. "I used to think I was a drug addict, pure and simple — just someone who could not stop taking drugs willfully. And I was that. But it turns out that I am severely manic depressive. You can't stop. It's very painful. It's raw. You know, it's rough... your bones burn... when you're not busy talking and trying to drown it out."
Amanda Seyfried
“I’m on Lexapro, and I’ll never get off of it,” Amanda Seyfried told Allure. “I’ve been on it since I was 19, so 11 years. I’m on the lowest dose. I don’t see the point of getting off of it. Whether it’s placebo or not, I don’t want to risk it. And what are you fighting against? Just the stigma of using a tool? A mental illness is a thing that people cast in a different category [from other illnesses], but I don’t think it is. It should be taken as seriously as anything else. You don’t see the mental illness: It’s not a mass; it’s not a cyst. But it’s there. Why do you need to prove it? If you can treat it, you treat it."
Lady Gaga
In 2016, while visiting the Ali Forney Center for homeless LGBTQ youth in New York City, Lady Gaga revealed her experience with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She candidly expressed that she has no recollection of the early days of her career, “It’s like I’m traumatized. I needed time to recalibrate my soul.” Gaga previously revealed in 2014 that she was raped at the age of 19.
"I definitely look after my well-being...I openly admit to having battled depression and anxiety and I think a lot of people do. I think it's better when we all say: 'Cheers!' and 'fess up to it.'"
Later, during an appearance on the Today Show, Lady Gaga expressed in an interview, “The kindness that’s shown to me by doctors, as well as my family and my friends, really saved my life.” She proceeded to write an open letter discussing her PTSD for the nonprofit organization she founded, the Born This Way Foundation, stating, “There is a lot of shame attached to mental illness, but it’s important that you know that there is hope and a chance for recovery.”
Selena Gomez
"I've discovered that anxiety, panic attacks and depression can be side effects of lupus, which can present their own challenges," she told People Magazine in 2019. "I want to be proactive and focus on maintaining my health and happiness and have decided that the best way forward is to take some time off […] I know I am not alone by sharing this, I hope others will be encouraged to address their own issues."
Having faced the difficulties of lupus for an extended period, Selena Gomez shared insights into her mental health journey on the April 3, 2020 episode of Miley Cyrus's "Bright Minded" Instagram Live show. During the conversation, she discussed discovering her bipolar diagnosis while undergoing treatment at a mental hospital, emphasizing how this revelation enabled her to gain a deeper understanding of herself: “When I have more information, it actually helps me. It doesn’t scare me once I know it…I wanted to know everything about it, and it took the fear away.”
Kristen Bell
Actress Kristen Bell, who is struggling with depression and anxiety, boldly champions mental health causes. In an essay written for Motto, she vehemently challenges the stereotype associating mental illness with weakness. Rather than succumbing to such stereotypes, Bell underscores the crucial need for mental health awareness and advocates for regular mental health check-ins, stressing their importance. In her essay, she wrote,“There’s nothing weak about struggling with mental illness. For me, depression is not sadness. It’s not having a bad day and needing a hug. It gave me a complete and utter sense of isolation and loneliness. Its debilitation was all-consuming, and it shut down my mental circuit board. I felt worthless, like I had nothing to offer, like I was a failure. Anxiety and depression are impervious to accolades or achievements. Anyone can be affected, despite their level of success or their place on the food chain. Now, after seeking help, I can see that those thoughts, of course, couldn’t have been more wrong. It’s important for me to be candid about this so people in a similar situation can realize that they are not worthless and that they do have something to offer. We all do.”
Princess Diana
"I was unwell with post-natal depression, which no one ever discussed... and that in itself was a bit of a difficult time. You'd wake up in the morning feeling you didn't want to get out of bed, you felt misunderstood, and just very, very low in yourself," she said in her 1995 BBC interview. "When no one listens to you, or you feel no one's listening to you, all sorts of things start to happen. For instance you have so much pain inside yourself that you try and hurt yourself on the outside because you want help, but it's the wrong help you're asking for. People see it as crying wolf or attention-seeking, and they think because you're in the media all the time you've got enough attention, inverted commas....I didn't like myself, I was ashamed because I couldn't cope with the pressures."
Taylor Swift
In her Netflix documentary, Miss Americana, Taylor Swift announced that she struggled with an eating disorder throughout her career.
"My relationship with food was exactly the same psychology that I applied to everything else in my life: If I was given a pat on the head, I registered that as good. If I was given a punishment, I registered that as bad," Taylor said. This mindset, coupled with public scrutiny, made her to restrict her food intake.
At that time, she was unaware that she shouldn't experience fatigue after her performances. "I thought that I was supposed to feel like I was going to pass out at the end of a show, or in the middle of it. Now I realize, no, if you eat food, have energy, get stronger, you can do all these shows."
Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande continues to candidly discuss her battles with depression, anxiety, and PTSD, often utilizing platforms like Twitter and Instagram to share her experiences with a global audience. Beyond the tragic terrorist incident during her 2017 concert in Manchester, England, Grande has faced numerous challenges in the public eye, including the heartbreaking loss of her ex-boyfriend, Mac Miller, and the dissolution of her engagement with Pete Davidson in 2018.
In 2019, Grande took the initiative to illustrate the severity of her PTSD by sharing a brain scan, emphasizing the gravity of her condition compared to a non-affected brain. She accompanied the image with a caption emphasizing the seriousness, stating, "not a joke." Addressing her fans directly, she then shared further insights.
She then told her fans, “I didn’t mean to startle anyone with my brain thingy. It just blew me away. I found it informative and interesting and wanted to encourage y’all to make sure you check on your brains/listen to your bodies/take care of yourselves too. I am constantly working on my health/learning how to process pain (aren’t we all).” Earlier that same year, she wrote, “…Honestly therapy has saved my life so many times. You don’t have to be in constant pain, and you can process trauma. If you’re afraid to ask for help, don’t be.”
As we navigate the stories of these resilient women, it becomes evident that adversity can be a catalyst for profound societal change. The journey from personal struggle to advocacy is a testament to the strength and resilience of women. On this International Women's Day, let's celebrate not just the achievements, but the courage it takes to confront mental health challenges and emerge as advocates, challenging stereotypes, and breaking the stigma.
FAQs
How can I support a friend dealing with mental health issues? Show empathy, listen without judgment, and encourage them to seek professional help.
Are there specific challenges faced by women of color in mental health advocacy? Yes, women of color often face unique challenges due to intersectionality; understanding and addressing these is crucial.
Can sharing my mental health story really make a difference? Absolutely! Personal stories break down stigma, fostering understanding and connection.
How can I contribute to the destigmatization movement in my community? Educate yourself, initiate open conversations, and support local mental health initiatives to create a positive impact.