7 celebrities investing in better mental health: from Ariana Grande pledging millions towards free therapy and Selena Gomez’s Wondermind, to Lady Gaga, Prince Harry and Megan Thee Stallion
- Celebrities are officially on the bandwagon to support psychological well-being: Naomi Osaka, Billie Eilish and Kendall Jenner have all spoken about their mental health over the years
- Prince William and Kate Middleton partnered with the Football Association, while rapper Megan Thee Stallion started her platform for Black and LGBT communities, and Harry Styles works with the Calm app
From Princess Diana to Meghan Markle, celebrities are no strangers to advocating for better mental health. They’ve often battled with depression and anxiety themselves, and have helped reduce the stigma surrounding different disorders by openly talking about them.
Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka made headlines when she withdrew from the French Open in 2021, taking a break from the game to protect her mental health. Meditation app Calm has also recently partnered up with celebs like Shawn Mendes and Harry Styles, who narrate tales in its Sleep Story series.
Why is mental health such an important issue to tackle today?
According to the World Health Organization, nearly 1 billion people worldwide experience a mental disorder, but only a fraction receive the treatment they need. Celebrities could have a significant role to play here, as they can use their platforms to reach a wider audience and encourage people to access mental health resources.
That said though, the climate is indeed much better than the past as there’s less stigma, according to a 2019 American Psychiatric Association report. Very Well Mind adds that Gen Z are more likely to talk about their challenges and seek care than previous generations.
Gen Z stars like Kendall Jenner and Billie Eilish have spoken up about how they wrestled with mental health issues, recognising the need for professional help and intervention. The latter declared in an Ad Council video in 2020, “It doesn’t make you weak to ask for help.”
What they’ve shared has surely helped fans across the globe, and some of the organisations they’ve established continue to assist those in need. So which celebs have invested money and effort to support people’s mental health?
1. Ariana Grande
