Celebrities and Mental Health: Genuine Advocacy or PR Strategy?

A growing number of celebrities have courageously shared their experiences with mental health issues in recent years, which has helped to destigmatize mental health in our culture and promote the required and necessary conversation about it. Some of them have even taken steps to address it. Influential people like Deepika Padukone, Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, and Demi Lovato have raised awareness and encouraged people to seek help without feeling ashamed or embarrassed by their appearance by shedding light on topics like body image, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety in both India and the West.

Read More: 7 Celebrities Who Speak About Their Mental Health Struggles

Bollywood celebrities’ perspective on Mental Health

Deepika Padukone being one of India’s most prominent voices in mental health advocacy established the Live Love Laugh Foundation in 2015 following her disclosure of her battle with depression. Her dedication to the cause is not based on her single revelation but it goes way beyond that, as this group works to de-stigmatize mental health and offer assistance to those in need. Padukone’s involvement is more than just a show that most people might think, as seen by the substantial impact her organization has had in increasing mental health awareness throughout India.

By being open about her problems with anxiety, Anushka Sharma has normalized the use of medication and treatment to manage her mental health by taking professional help. Anushka wants to encourage people to get assistance without feeling stigmatized by sharing her story, demonstrating that mental health problems impact even those in the limelight.

Honey Singh took a hiatus from the music industry due to his complicated fight with bipolar disease and substance misuse. After his comeback, Singh talked candidly about his difficulties, highlighting the impact his sickness had on his life and profession. His openness has spurred discussions on the difficulties of mental illness in demanding fields like entertainment.

Ileana D’Cruz has talked about her experience with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a mental illness that causes an obsessive amount of focus on perceived flaws in bodily appearance. By talking about her battles with BDD, especially in public settings, D’Cruz has contributed to raising awareness of this lesser-known problem and has helped promote better acceptance and understanding of mental health.

Karan Johar talked about how he battled anxiety and despair because of pressures from the industry and society. Johar found solace in treatment and through therapy, he now talks candidly about mental health, hoping to de-stigmatize the topic, particularly among males. Although he has not founded an initiative, His openness promotes an accepting atmosphere in the industry and society as well.

Read More: Famous Celebrities with Their Mental Health Experiences

The West’s Contribution to Mental Health Awareness

Selena Gomez has been an influential mental health campaigner. As known, Selena’s makeup brand, Rare Beauty, has established a foundation called the Rare Impact Fund intending to raise $100 million to fund mental health services for youth. Selena has been transparent about her struggles with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. Beyond personal revelations, Gomez’s unwavering dedication to mental health focuses on bringing about real change in the field.

Demi Lovato has openly discussed her battles with drugs, bipolar disease, and borderline personality disorder (BPD). Through her music and public discussions, Lovato continuously addresses these issues, aiming to destigmatize mental illness and encourage others to seek support. Her activism extends beyond her own experience, addressing anyone who might be facing similar challenges.

Lady Gaga established the Born This Way Foundation, which encourages compassion, mental wellness, and mental health services for youth, after sharing her experience with PTSD. Gaga shows her commitment to having a long-lasting influence by establishing a foundation that addresses mental health.

Ryan Reynolds has publicly discussed his ongoing struggle with anxiety, especially under pressure. Fans have responded well and resonated with Reynolds’ candour as he discusses how he copes with anxiety despite pursuing a prosperous Hollywood career.

Lily Collins, Zayn Malik, and Taylor Swift have all talked about their own experiences with eating disorders and used their platforms to raise awareness of the problem. For instance, Taylor Swift shared in her 2020 documentary Miss Americana about how media scrutiny led her to struggle with disordered eating. Zayn Malik has also opened up about his experience with an eating disorder, providing insight into how men can face similar issues, which are often overlooked. Collins, meanwhile, has been open about her road to recovery, particularly during the filming of To the Bone, a movie about eating disorders.

Read More: How Celebrities are Shaping the Global Mental Health Dialogue

A Thin Line Separating PR Trained from Advocacy?

These revelations spark vital discussions, but they also beg the issue of whether celebrities are truly committed to supporting mental health or if these reports are well-planned public relations campaigns meant to make them seem more relatable.

1. Relatability as a Strategic Move: By exposing flaws that reflect everyday hardships, public relations tactics can make celebrities seem approachable. But that is up to the people to understand whether they should look at the celebrities as a deity or look at them as normal humans who can struggle with several mental issues.
2. Pressure from Changing Norms: As conversations on mental health grow more prevalent, some celebrities can feel pressured to participate because of business standards. The distinction between strategic branding and personal advocacy can occasionally be blurred by the entertainment industry’s growing promotion of “authenticity.”
3. Authenticity in Advocacy: By starting campaigns and actively taking part in continuing advocacy, celebrities like Deepika Padukone and Demi Lovato have shown a sincere dedication to mental health. Padukone’s Live Love Laugh Foundation and Lovato’s candour in interviews and songs point to a long-term commitment to mental health that goes beyond a one-time conversation.
4. Visibility Without Follow-Through: While some celebrities publicly address mental health concerns, they may not consistently pursue long-term advocacy. Although the first hush surrounding mental health is broken by these revelations, the impact could be less significant if nothing else is done. This might imply that image control rather than personal dedication is the main goal.
5. Positive Impact, Regardless of Intent: These conversations on mental health, whether driven by sincere care or PR motives, help to normalize difficulties and reduce stigma in society in terms of mental health. For example, when Zayn Malik talks about his eating condition, he draws attention to a problem that many males face but that is frequently disregarded. Whatever the motivation for these revelations, they raise awareness of mental health concerns and inspire people to acknowledge and deal with their problems in a healthy way.

Read More: 6 Celebrities Who Have Publically Spoken About Depression

Conclusion: Strategic Narrative or Genuine Conversation?

Celebrities like Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Deepika Padukone, and others are essential in lowering the stigma associated with mental health issues and increasing public awareness of them. Some celebrities may share their story as part of an approachable public character, while others appear to be more committed to ongoing campaigning. Despite the motivation, these disclosures help to change the culture by increasing the accessibility and acceptance of mental health discussions. It’s critical to recognize the strength and intricacy of celebrity impact as we continue to analyze these tales. Celebrities encourage others to seek care, dispel the stigma associated with mental health, and mainstream the discussion in society by sharing their own stories.