Selena Gomez and the First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. Image Source: Uromi Voice
Selena Gomez gets personal about her mental health.
During a recent appearance on Wednesday for the Mental Health Youth Forum at The White House hosted by MTV Entertainment, Selena Gomez joined First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Juan Acosta, Ambassador Susan Rice, and US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, where she spoke about her mental health and how much she wishes to de-stigmatize it.
Selena Gomez opened up about how she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2020 and shared that when she was diagnosed, she thought that she had found what was going on with her mentally and it gave her a sense of freedom to be okay with that because she was learning about it as it was happening. Selena added that bringing attention to mental health through the media or just by sharing one’s journey can help a lot of other people out there.
The actress-singer stated that she says that because sharing one’s journey sets up an example that it’s not taboo and it’s a legit thing or topic one can talk about or have a normal conversation with. Selena Gomez mentioned that she wants to use her platform in the hope of helping others feel less alone and went ahead to explain what mental health means to her. Selena mentioned that it’s a very personal thing for her and she wants people to take it seriously. She is using her platform to share her own story and is incredibly grateful to be working with people who believe the same way.
Selena shared that she wants to make mental health services available to anyone who needs them, regardless of age, race, religion, or sexual orientation, and that she wants to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, race, religion, or sexual orientation, has access to mental health services that will support their mental health. Dr. Jill Biden praised the singer and said that it takes immense courage, to be honest, and open about one’s struggles in life and to create a platform that is positive and aimed at helping others. The First Lady added that it takes courage to understand one’s voice and make a difference in society, showing the world that despite all the struggles, you still have your creativity and talent to showcase.
Selena Gomez was also diagnosed with lupus in 2014 and underwent a kidney transplant and chemotherapy and has been vocal about her mental health and health struggles since then. She revealed that she tells herself every day that she is going to help people, and that is what has kept her going since 2014. Selena Gomez has been vocal about how she has parted her ways from social media due to constant anxiety and stress and deleted all the applications from her phone, which has helped her to focus on other things that are better for her mental health and career, of course.
Selena Gomez also shed some light on how her makeup brand, Rare Beauty, advocates for mental health awareness too and said that her brand and Rare Impact Fund support organizations that expand access to mental health services and education for young people and that they have partnered up with mental health experts and non-profits throughout the year to share free educational resources for the ones who need it.
Established in 2020, the Rare Impact Fund receives one percent of all Rare Beauty sales, as well as funds earned through partnerships with philanthropic foundations, individuals, corporate partners, and consumers. The financial impact will aid organizations working to improve mental health services in schools. The Rare Impact Fund aims to raise $100 million over the next ten years.
The actress added that we all need all the support we could get in developing resources, tools, and services for people across the world in case they need help. Dr. Jill Biden added that there are wounds that sometimes are gone unseen and they are too often cloaked in secrecy and shame and no one should face this alone. Dr. Vivek Murthy also shared that President Joe Biden’s administration is building a movement to address mental health in America and is looking forward to building a society where no one has to feel isolated and shamed because of the challenges and struggles they have gone through and build a world where it is easy to ask for help.
The event took place the day before Mental Health Action Day, which will see organizations, brands, government agencies, and cultural leaders come together and encourage people in need to seek mental health support.
If you or someone you know requires mental health assistance, text "STRENGTH" to 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
