Audra McDonald Details Suicide Attempt & Psychiatric Hospital Stay

Content warning: This article discusses suicide.

Audra McDonald is sharing a difficult chapter in her life.

The celebrated actress, a six-time Tony Award winner, has opened up about her battle with mental health, revealing she attempted suicide when she was 20 years old while a student at The Juilliard School in New York City.

Audra recently shared that her lifelong dream was to perform on Broadway – to connect with audiences through music and emotion. Speaking at a luncheon for the Hope for Depression Research Foundation on November 12th, she explained the irony of feeling both incredibly close to and simultaneously distant from achieving that dream, as reported by People magazine.

She went on to explain that the persona people were trying to create for her didn’t feel authentic. Their vision for her future didn’t align with her own dreams, and the growing distance between her true self and the role she was playing began to take a toll on her.

As her emotional state declined, she at first didn’t want to admit she was struggling.

Audra confessed that her pride had prevented her from acknowledging how much she was struggling. She’d spent her life working towards her goals, and now that she’d achieved them, she felt directionless and utterly lost.

I was really moved by what she shared about struggling with depression while she was still in school. It’s so brave of her to talk about how heavy that time was, and it really gave me a new understanding of what she went through.

She explained that for someone already dealing with anxiety and depression, intense pressure isn’t just exhausting – it’s deeply damaging. It creates mental chaos, turning your own thoughts against you. Despite this, she masked her struggles, forcing a smile and pretending everything was okay, when in reality, she was far from it.

I reached a breaking point one night and cut my wrist,” she shared. Thankfully, she contacted the Student Affairs director, who stayed with her, called for assistance, and ultimately saved her life.

After attempting suicide, Audra spent a month receiving care at Gracie Square Hospital, a facility specializing in psychiatric treatment.

“I felt completely lost,” the former star of Private Practice remembered. “I didn’t know who I was at that point, and it was the most difficult period of my life. However, it also marked the start of my journey toward recovery.”

Okay, listen, this is so important, she really stressed it. She needed me to understand, she needed the medication. It wasn’t just about feeling bad, it was about keeping her safe, protecting her from… herself. It was like, she had to explain it so I’d get it, that it wasn’t a choice, it was survival.

Audra, who shares 9-year-old daughter Sally with her husband Will Swenson and is a stepmother to Will’s sons, Bridger and Sawyer, from his previous marriage to Amy Westerby, thought about the hospital’s name.

She reflected, “It’s almost poetic that the hospital where I was saved was named Gracie Square. Back then, I didn’t truly understand the meaning of grace, or how to be kind to myself. But looking back now, after all this time, I see things differently.”

Audra realized it had taken work and therapy, but ultimately felt that she’d been destined for happiness all along, even before she was ready to accept it.

For more celebs who’ve spoken about their mental health journeys, keep reading.

Rapper Radric Davis, known professionally as Gucci Mane, shared in his 2025 book, Episodes: The Diary of a Recovering Mad Man, that he was diagnosed with both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This diagnosis followed a mental health crisis he experienced in 2020.

Honestly, after a bit of a wake-up call, I realized I needed to take serious responsibility for my well-being. I made a firm decision – no more health scares! I’m committed to prioritizing my mental health, which means I’m actively seeking therapy, and I’m open to medication if that’s what it takes. It’s about being proactive and taking care of myself, period.

Honestly, seeing Gucci open up like that just wrecked me, but in the best way? He said it wasn’t just about wanting to help other people who are struggling, it was about his kids! Little Ice and Iceland, his babies with Keyshia Ka’Oir, they were a huge reason he finally decided to get help. Knowing he wanted to be a better dad for them? That just… gets me right here. It’s so amazing to see him prioritizing his family and his own well-being, and being so open about it. I’m so proud of him!

He explained that his wife was expecting their son, and he realized he didn’t want to risk his mental health by becoming a father. He worried about having a severe mental health episode he couldn’t recover from, so he proactively began therapy and sought support.

The former star of Gossip Girl recently shared his struggles with body image, explaining that he experienced what he called “body dysmorphia” as a young actor.

In an April 2025 interview with The Guardian, Penn shared that they used to strongly dislike their body and wished they had a different one.

He explained that after his parents’ divorce, he gained weight and then found himself caught up in a cycle of trying to improve his appearance. He felt that, emerging from a period of depression and loneliness, he was both intentionally and unintentionally pushed towards believing his worth was tied to how conventionally attractive he was, and that this might lead to greater success.

Despite the mental struggles, though, Penn credited his ability to persist to his spirituality.

He explained that it was what helped him overcome his disappointments and personal struggles, and ultimately return to things with a renewed sense of self.

The Scrubs alum has been vocal about her past difficult relationship with food.

She described her struggles with food, stating on the The Funny Thing Is podcast, “Some people might label it an eating disorder, but it’s just how I lived my life.” She went on to say that food was her main coping mechanism, and she engaged in extreme behaviors related to it.

She added, “I would over-exercise, and there was a sprinkle of bulimia in there.”

Despite admitting she finds it hard to stick to a diet, she’s also been open about the positive steps she’s making towards a healthier lifestyle.

In 2017, she told Bon Appétit that at age 23, she completely changed her lifestyle by eliminating sugar, stopping alcohol, and taking up yoga, breathing exercises, and stretching. She described these changes as being more effective than the drug Ritalin.

She shared that she struggles with food and body image, which are genuine concerns for her. However, she’s working to overcome these challenges and is focusing on a healthy lifestyle by nourishing her body with good food.

The Full House alum reflected on her mental health journey and navigating her battle with depression.

She admitted on her podcast, Candace Cameron Bure Podcast, that it’s incredibly hard to talk about, even with those closest to you. She explained that she personally feels she should be able to handle it, and admitting she struggles feels like a weakness.

The Grammy-winning artist often talks about how she safeguards her well-being, like blocking out negativity online, and offers guidance to others who are struggling.

When asked what advice she’d give someone struggling with their mental health, she told Vogue that patience is key. She emphasized being kind to yourself and not rushing things. ‘I was patient with myself, and I waited it out. Eventually, things get better,’ she explained.

As people adjusted to social distancing to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, the singer of “Firework” opened up about the significant stress these kinds of situations can cause.

Honestly, it’s been so tough lately trying to balance staying safe from the virus with just…feeling okay. It’s like one struggle is quickly replaced by another. I really related to what Katy said online – she explained how she’s been dealing with it all. She basically shared that when things get overwhelming, her car is where she feels most comfortable and safe. It’s become her little escape, and I totally get that need for a personal space when everything feels so uncertain.

As someone who’s always believed in living authentically and prioritizing well-being, I was really touched to partner with Kenneth Cole and The Mental Health Coalition. I recently had the chance to share my own journey with anxiety on Good Morning America, and it felt incredibly important to open up about that. It’s so vital we all talk about mental health – it’s something we all deal with, and there’s strength in vulnerability.

It took me a while, but I finally figured out what was happening with my panic attacks once they started coming back. I really had to push to get the information I needed, and it was such a relief when I finally did.

Kendall shared that she experiences both good and anxious days, making her energy levels fluctuate. That’s why she wanted to get involved in this movement – she hopes to help people feel less isolated and alone.

The actor known for playing Black Adam has publicly discussed his experiences with depression and the challenges men often face when trying to talk about their mental well-being.

Everyone experiences difficult times and struggles with depression – it doesn’t pick and choose who it affects. It took me a while to understand this, but the most important thing is to feel comfortable talking about what you’re going through. Men, especially, often keep their feelings bottled up, but remember, you’re not alone.

Prince Harry helped reduce the shame around getting help for mental health by sharing his own experiences with therapy in an interview with the Telegraph. He explained that talking about his struggles made him realize many other people go through similar things, saying, “Once you start talking about it, you realize you’re part of a big community.”

The actress from Empire is a strong advocate for seeking professional help and has openly discussed her experiences with depression. She’s shared that therapy is essential for her well-being, telling Variety, “I have a therapist that I speak to. That’s the only way I can get through it.”

Taraji P. Henson founded The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to fight the stigma surrounding mental health within the Black community and to expand access to Black mental health professionals.

The Grammy-winning artist revealed she began MDMA and psilocybin therapy – a treatment for PTSD – after struggling with an eating disorder and performance anxiety.

She told Rolling Stone in May 2025 that she experienced touring without any nervousness for the first time. She described a powerful, shared energy with the audience – a feeling like a sudden shift in pressure – that made her understand how much she thrives on a strong, emotional connection with people through her music.

She explained that prioritizing her mental well-being and stopping birth control led her to a broader understanding of her gender identity.

She explained she felt a need to stop taking birth control, like she was breaking free from traditional expectations of womanhood. It might sound strange, but she felt it released her from those constraints and allowed her to explore new possibilities.

In a 2017 Instagram post, the Riverdale actress shared that she battled with serious anxiety and depression in middle school, and credited the support of her family and a therapist with saving her life. She encouraged others to seek help, stating that asking for it is the most important first step, and that everyone has immense value.

The singer behind “What He Didn’t Do” has been open about her experiences living with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) over the past several years.

Carly shared on the August 2025 episode of Bunnie Xo’s Dumb Blonde podcast that her anxiety began around the time of her divorce during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, she also revealed she’s struggled with severe OCD since childhood.

Over the past decade, I became used to suppressing my feelings and handling things on my own. Eventually, a couple of years ago, I realized I needed to go back to therapy and start understanding what was going on. I discovered that my obsessive-compulsive disorder wasn’t something that started recently – it’s actually been present since I was a child, around six or seven years old.

The actress known for Frozen has openly discussed her mental health journey for years, sharing coping strategies in public speeches and on social media platforms like Instagram.

She encourages people to discover what works best for them, and, as she told Health magazine, that can involve things like medication, balancing negative thoughts with ten positives, and regular exercise.

The cookbook author is a mother of four and has bravely shared her experiences with postpartum depression, a common but often unspoken struggle for new mothers.

She explained in a 2017 letter to Glamour that it became simpler to talk about her experience each time. Her hope was to let others know that this could happen to anyone, and to help those going through it feel less ashamed and isolated.

While publicizing her book, Mirror, Mirror, the model shared with The Edit magazine that she struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts as a teenager, describing a feeling of “something dark” within her during that period.

Cara explained to the publication, as reported by W magazine, that she used to depend on love and other people for her happiness. She realized she needed to learn to find joy within herself. “It took a long time,” she said, “but now I’m able to be happy on my own.”

Ariana Grande responded to a fan’s joke about her therapist by sharing how much therapy has helped her. She tweeted that therapy has ‘saved my life so many times,’ encouraging others to seek help if they need it.

She encouraged me not to be afraid to ask for help. You don’t have to suffer needlessly, and healing from trauma is possible. While she acknowledged she had a long way to go, she felt that simply recognizing this possibility was a good first step.

I’ve always admired this singer’s honesty. She really puts everything out there – her struggles with addiction, getting sober, and dealing with mental health – and bravely incorporates those experiences into her music. It makes her work so much more relatable and powerful, knowing it all comes from a real place.

She consistently encourages her followers to prioritize their mental well-being, emphasizing that it’s a continuous effort with inevitable setbacks. She previously shared on Instagram, “Just a reminder to anyone who’s having a hard time – life has its highs and lows, but it’s important to keep going.”

The actress has bravely explored mental health both on screen, like in her role as Rue in the show Euphoria, and in her personal life.

Zendaya revealed in 2013, through her old app, that she experienced anxiety after a technical difficulty with her microphone during an appearance on Ellen. She’s since found healthy ways to cope with these feelings, explaining that it’s important to take a break when things become overwhelming.

In a recent interview with WSJ Magazine, the singer openly shared her experiences with mental health, explaining that she experienced extreme emotional swings – periods of intense happiness followed by weeks of debilitating lows.

She revealed she’s been dealing with mental health challenges, but finding the right medication has made a huge difference in her life.

As someone who follows wellness trends closely, I’ve always admired this Grammy-winning artist. She’s really made it a priority to share positivity and openly discuss mental health – and she’s been incredibly brave in sharing her own journey, which I think is so important for breaking down stigmas and encouraging others to prioritize their wellbeing.

She shared that she’d dealt with mental health challenges for a long time, sometimes openly and sometimes privately. Speaking at the Global Changemakers Award in 2018, she explained her belief that keeping those struggles hidden actually makes things worse.

2025-11-14 21:21

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