Prioritizing Mindfulness and Wellness with Celebrity Advocates

Mental Health Awareness Month is commemorated every May to help raise awareness about the importance of emotional well-being, promote resources and support, and reduce the stigma on issues surrounding it. The focus of this month-long campaign is to educate people about their psychological health, its impact on individuals and communities, and how to support those whose psychological wellbeing is affected.

Emotional health is an integral part of our overall well-being but all too often it is overlooked or neglected. Mental Health Awareness Month aims to bring attention to these issues and break the silence surrounding them, encouraging us to prioritize what we are feeling, seek help when necessary, and advocate for better support and resources.

The significance of this month cannot be overstated, as issues such as stress and other conditions affect millions of people worldwide; according to the World Health Organization (WHO), one out of every four people globally will struggle with their psychological state at some point in their lives. Despite this, many people still find it hard to access the care and support they need due to stigma, discrimination, and limited resources.

Mental Health Awareness Month

The more people know about their emotional well-being, the more they can understand it for themselves and support others who may be affected by it. Through awareness campaigns and public education, we can learn about the symptoms, how to seek help, and how to support loved ones who are struggling.

Celebrities can play an essential role in promoting wellness and reducing stigma.  Here are a few examples of celebrities who have collaborated with mindfulness apps or are known for advocating for emotional health:

Celebrities Who Break the Stigma

Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato’s psychological health journey became very public when she suffered a heart attack and three strokes after an accidental overdose in 2018. The artist and actress has been very open about her years-long battle with addiction, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders in interviews, on social media, and through her music.

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Justin Bieber

During his docuseries Seasons, Bieber didn’t hold back when describing how intense his anxiety became and how wrapped up he once was in drugs as an unhealthy coping mechanism. He even admitted to suicidal thoughts at some point in his life, all while encouraging his fans to remain hopeful. He recently had to cancel a leg of his tour in South America due to his ongoing battle with psychological well-being.

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Ariana Grande

Ariana has shared her brain scan for PTSD, credited therapy with saving her life, and experienced a lot of trauma, from the deadly Manchester Arena bombing to losing her former lover Mac Miller to an accidental overdose. But rather than back away from the spotlight, she has doubled down and made sure to use it for good.

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Read more: Celebrities who lost their battle to mental health in 2022

Celebs Who Use Their Platform to Promote Wellness

Harry Styles and Calm App

The English singer released a “sleep story” with Calm, an app dedicated to meditation, called ‘Dream With Me’, in which he guides listeners through a lullaby-like story. Since Harry’s collaboration made waves online, a flood of stars have become involved in the mindfulness and meditation platform.

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Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes

Before breaking up – and getting back together – the superstar couple were the most recent stars to partner with Calm. Camilla took to Instagram to announce her new series to fans: “Having the necessary resources to prioritize our mental health is so important. Meditation has been one of the most helpful tools for me so I am excited to announce my new series, Breathe Into It. You’ll be able to learn more about my own personal journey and hear stories from my heart. I can’t wait to share this with you all.”

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Chris Hemsworth

The actor launched his app Centr, a platform that aims to combat anxiety, stress, and loneliness. “Workouts, meditations, and recipes to improve your movement, meals, and mind,” reads the description. They also launched a series of sleep visualizations designed for children. Hemsworth’s project also helps with all-around health, tackling healthy eating and fitness.

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Gisele Bündchen

The Brazilian supermodel practices Anusara yoga and has done prenatal yoga. Before and after the birth of her two children, Benjamin and Vivian, Bündchen relied on yoga to maintain her flexibility and help bring back her slender frame. Yoga is part of her way of maintaining an extraordinary body that helps her earn a reported $47 million per year.

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She does a minimum of three yoga sessions per week and has often been photographed in parks or seen in Instagrammed selfies where she strikes a variety of yoga positions.

Many celebs have been open about their own struggles and have come forward to break the silence and raise awareness about the prevalence of these issues. 

The Mayo Clinic offers information and advice in case you are having suicidal thoughts (Suicide and suicidal thoughts – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic) and of how you can support a family member or friend with depression.