Speak Out
Speak Out.
Big homes, bigger bank accounts, fancy cars, and oodles of fans - it seems famous stars have it all. But being a famous doesn’t protect you from having mental health problems. Many of today’s biggest stars are sharing candid information about their battles with mental health illnesses.
Their stories and their courage to talk frankly about their conditions build healthy awareness of current treatments and the importance of loving support.
Here are a few male celebrities and sports stars who have come forward sharing their mental health struggles:
Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) was moved by fans reactions after opening up about his struggles with depression multiple times during his career.
"I found that with depression one of the most important things you could realise is that you're not alone. You're not the first to go through it... I wish I had someone at that time who could just pull me aside and [say], Hey, it's going to be okay."
Dwayne Johnson described reaching his lowest point where he didn't want to go anywhere, do anything and was constantly crying.
Source: BBC
Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber opened up about his own mental health battles, in a revealing YouTube documentary - Justin Bieber: Next Chapter.
The singer discussed how he experienced suicidal thoughts and consistent pain throughout his darkest periods. "I was really, really suicidal" Bieber says.
Opening up the importance of discussing mental health issues, Bieber says: "I just would encourage people, like, hey, if you're feeling lonely, talk about it. Say it out loud! There's a freedom in that. I could have avoided a lot of pain."
Source: NME
Tyson Fury
Tyson Fury reveals he "still battles on a daily basis" with mental health issues.
Fury managed to drag himself back from the depths of despair to reignite his boxing career however he continues to battle with his mental health issues.
"No one is ever, ever, ever safe from mental health (issues). No matter who you are or what you are. I had a long, long, long, hard battle and I continue to have a long hard battle on a daily basis. Be positive, be strong; never give up and always keep fighting"
Source: Mail Online
Ben Stokes
England Cricket Test Captain, Ben Stokes struggled with anxiety and panic attacks and stressed the importance of opening up about mental health, adding it's not human nature to pretend to be fine.
"I never thought I would be on medication to help me for that kind of stuff. I am not embarrassed or ashamed to say it because I needed the help at the time"
Ben Stokes: Phoenix from the Ashes is on Prime Video, the England cricket hero opens up about his mental health battles.
Source: Sky Sports
Roman Kemp
Roman Kemp revealed he considered jumping in front of a train during his battle with depression.
He has spent the last 13 years on antidepressants due to his mental health struggles, which he revealed all became too much one day in 2019 as he contemplated taking his own life. "I was caught out in my brain on everything"
Roman's friend and colleague, Joe tragically took his own life aged 31. Since, Roman has filmed a BBC documentary on mental health and suicide crisis affecting young men called: Our Silent Emergency.
Source: Goodto
Joey Essex
Joey Essex opened up about struggling with depression while undergoing psychoanalysis to help talk about the death of his mother.
His mother, Tina died by suicide in 2001 when Joey was 10 years old. BBC Three released a documentary titled Joey Essex: Grief and Me seeing him look into the ways he dealt with her death.
Joey said that he'd been struggling with depression and anxiety since beginning the intense course of psychoanalysis for the TV special, with side effects including crying, panic attacks and flashbacks.
Source: The Independent