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.

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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

In October 2021, Grande pledged to donate up to US$5 million worth of therapy in partnership with online therapy provider BetterHelp, per Billboard. The singer wrote about her latest donation, “I acknowledge that there are very real barriers when it comes to accessing mental health resources, and while this is only one small gesture (and a much larger systemic problem remains), I wanted to do this again with @betterhelp in hopes of bringing access to a few more people and perhaps inspiring a few of you to try something new and prioritise your own healing.”

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2. Selena Gomez

Tennis legend Serena Williams’ venture capital firm helped get the platform going, per Forbes. Gomez herself has also pledged to raise US$100 million over the next decade to provide people with access to mental health resources through her Rare Impact Fund, according to its official website.

3. Lady Gaga

The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter suffered from PTSD after being raped at age 19. She set up her own non-profit organisation Born This Way to support young people through connecting them with resources to build communities that prioritise good mental health, according to its website.

4-6. Prince William, Prince Harry and Kate Middleton

It’s no surprise that the death of Princess Diana deeply affected both Prince William and Prince Harry. Harry once told The Telegraph that he felt he was “very close to a complete breakdown” and sought the help of a therapist to help him deal with his mental health at age 28.

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Meanwhile, alongside Prince William and Kate Middleton, the British royals launched charity Heads Together to raise funds for a series of innovative mental health services. These include the Heads Up campaign in 2019 where they partnered with the Football Association to change the way men think about mental health.

7. Megan Thee Stallion

In 2022, American rapper Megan Thee Stallion created Bad B****es Have Bad Days Too – a free resource hub of lifelines, text lines and therapist directories specifically targeted towards the Black and the LGBTQ+ communities. Per Hypebae, not only is Stallion vocal about seeking therapy, but she also wrote about her mental health struggles on her album Traumazine.