You can have flashy cars, a massive bank balance and the best home, but when it comes to mental health, none of that matters.
According to the South African Government, approximately 400 million people worldwide suffer from mental illness, including disorders related to alcohol and drug abuse.
October is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we look at a few local and international celebrities who battle with mental health and provide helpful tips to help you cope with mental health illnesses. And while we may think celebrities have perfect lives, they are not exempt from mental health struggles.
Lalla Hirayama
In 2021, television host, actor, dancer and model, Lalla Hirayama opened up on Twitter about her struggle with panic and anxiety disorder and depression in the hope of destigmatising mental illness. She shared that she worked with both a psychologist and psychiatrist for many years and takes medication to help.
Bonnie Mbuli
In an interview with Times Live, Bonnie spoke about her struggles with mental health. She saw a therapist and took medication to fight depression and anxiety. On a Twitter thread earlier this year, she admits to once being afraid of relying on medication but said that once she took meds, she felt a calmness within herself.
Trevor Noah
In 2017, the South African comedian and host of The Daily Show, revealed in an interview with DJ Fresh that Jim Carrey helped him recognise his depression and encouraged him to work through it.
Katy Perry
During a Vogue interview, Katy Perry spoke candidly about her battle with depression and how it deeply affected her. "I became depressed, and I did not want to get out of bed. In the past, I had been able to overcome it, but this time something happened that made me fall down too many flights of stairs," she said. Perry shared that therapy and medication were key in her battle against depression.
Chrissy Teigen
In a very honest and raw essay published on Glamour American, model Chrissy Teigen revealed that she suffered from postpartum depression after the birth of her daughter Luna. Not sure why she felt out of sorts for so long, she sought medical advice and discovered that her symptoms pointed to postpartum depression. Chrissy started taking antidepressants and saw a therapist, which made a huge difference to her mental health.
How to cope with mental illness
There are many different types of mental health illnesses, from postpartum depression to bipolar disorder and general anxiety disorder, which is why it’s important to understand that there’s no ‘one treatment cures all’ solution. It’s best to chat with your doctor to understand what type of help you need. Here are a few options:
Medication
Medication for mental health issues range from antidepressants to antianxiety medications, antipsychotics, and mood-stabilising drugs. Your doctor will assess your symptoms before recommending a way forward.
Psychotherapy
This involves talking to a therapist to identify what type of mental health issues you’re facing so that you can find solutions that best suit your needs.
Lifestyle changes
These changes could be used in addition to therapy and/or medication. Your doctor may suggest avoiding things like alcohol and drugs and adding foods that could benefit your brain health like omega 3 fatty acids.
Symptoms of mental health illness include:
- Sleeping excessively
- Sudden and prolonged personality changes including outbursts of anger or feeling exceptionally irritable, sad or aggressive
- Feeling hopeless
- Disinterest in things you previously enjoyed
If you have any or all of these symptoms, don't suffer in silence. Speak to a professional because help is never far away.
JET CLUB BENEFITPERSONAL HEALTH ADVISER
For free advice on mental health issues, call
SA & Namibia
0800 0045 45
Botswana, Lesotho & Swaziland
+2711 991 8258
0800 0045 45
Botswana, Lesotho & Swaziland
+2711 991 8258
5 CELEBS OWNING THEIR MENTAL HEALTH
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
October 07, 2022
Rating:
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
October 07, 2022
Rating:
