For those suffering with mental health issues, it can be hard to admit that you're struggling with your mental health, let alone announce it to the world. Whether through embarrassment or fear of being seen as weak, sharing your troubles can be a major step in your life. This blog will introduce some inspirational women who had experienced living in the public eye while dealing with mental health issues. All of these women have spoken out about their mental health issues in a bid to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health. This is with the hope that they will help to improve societies negative perceptions of mental health issues.
One of the leading charities for people with mental health problems, Mind, state that when suffering with mental health issues “you might find the ways you're frequently thinking, feeling or reacting become difficult, or even impossible, to cope with. This can feel just as bad as a physical illness, or even worse.” Research suggests that one in four people each year suffers from a mental health problem, ranging from anxiety to schizophrenia. There is still a lot of stigma surrounding mental health problems, but more people in the public eye openly talking about their mental health issues could help to reduce this by allowing their supporters to relate and see that there is nothing to be ashamed of. Below are examples of inspirational women in the public eye who have done just that.