David Harbour is sharing how he keeps his mental health right side up.
The Stranger Things actor, who has previously discussed his bipolar disorder, recently shared how therapy has helped improve his mental well-being.
David shared in a recent interview with Future of Personal Health that he’s been in therapy since becoming sober in 1999. He explained that stopping drinking brought difficult issues to the surface, forcing him to deal with them. Despite being in a difficult financial situation at the time, he was able to afford weekly sessions with a clinical social worker who offered reduced fees based on his income.
He didn’t start to improve until he found psychotherapy – a type of treatment, as explained by the Cleveland Clinic, that helps people recognize and alter negative thinking patterns.
He mentioned that starting intensive therapy recently has significantly improved his treatment.
And he credits not only the treatment alone, but solid medical professionals for his progress.
He shared that he hasn’t experienced a manic episode since beginning psychoanalysis with a helpful therapist. He believes medication is only part of the solution, emphasizing that lasting improvement requires dedicated personal effort, as there’s no single quick fix.
The actor known for his role in Hellboy—who split from his wife, Lily Allen, in February 2025—also discussed what his past experiences with mania were like.
He described a state where thinking becomes confused and random. Ordinary things start to seem significant, and names, numbers, and colors take on personal, often distorted, meanings. Underlying it all, he felt a strong sense of self-importance, a belief that he was the focal point of everything, whether positive or negative.
David explained that his manic episodes stemmed from his underlying personality. While they all had common characteristics, each one was triggered by something he was intensely focused on at that moment.
Even though the Emmy-nominated actor is prioritizing his mental health, he wants people to understand that getting better isn’t always easy, but it’s ultimately a worthwhile journey.
He explained that while he’s now living his dream life, it wasn’t always this way. He hoped to reach parents, like a mother whose child was recently diagnosed with a mental illness and fears they’ll be isolated, and to connect with anyone who knows or cares for someone who is struggling.
For more stars who have opened up about their mental health struggles, keep reading…
As someone who often discusses well-being, I wanted to share something important. Gucci Mane – Radric Davis is his real name – bravely opened up in his book, Episodes: The Diary of a Recovering Mad Man, about his journey with mental health. He revealed he was diagnosed with both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, which ultimately led to a difficult period in 2020. It’s so powerful when public figures share these experiences, helping to reduce stigma and encourage others to seek help.
He explained on The Breakfast Club that the experience made him realize he needed to prioritize his health and take responsibility for his well-being. He stated he never wants to go through something similar again and is committed to seeking therapy, and even taking medication if necessary.
Gucci Mane shared that, beyond wanting to help others, his children – Ice Davis and Iceland Davis, whom he shares with his wife Keyshia Ka’Oir – were a major reason he decided to get help when he was struggling.
He explained that his wife was expecting their son. He worried about the impact of parenthood on his mental health, fearing a severe episode he might not recover from. That’s why he proactively began therapy and started addressing his issues.
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 deeply disliked their body and wished they had a different one.
He explained that after his parents’ divorce, he gained weight and then entered a phase where he felt pressure to conform to conventional beauty standards. He believed that appearing more attractive might lead to greater success and be seen as more valuable, and he both actively sought and was pushed toward this ideal as a way to cope with depression and isolation.
Despite the mental struggles, though, Penn credited his ability to persist to his spirituality.
He said that overcoming his disappointments and personal struggles enabled him to return to his work 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, saying on the podcast The Funny Thing Is, “Some people might label it an eating disorder, but it’s just how I lived my life.” She explained that food was always her biggest crutch, and she engaged in extreme behaviors because of 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 her diet, she’s also been open about the positive steps she’s making towards a healthier lifestyle.
Okay, so I’ve been following her for years, and she once told Bon Appétit back in 2017 about how she totally transformed her life when she was 23. She said she cut out all sugar, stopped drinking, and dove headfirst into yoga, breathing exercises, and stretching. And honestly? She said it was better than any Ritalin anyone could ever take! It’s just…amazing how she figured it all out. I’ve been trying to follow her lead ever since!
Okay, so she gets it, you know? She totally admitted she’s struggled with food and how she sees herself – it’s so real and brave of her to say! But it’s not just about that, she’s actively working on getting better, like really healing herself from the inside out. She’s choosing to fuel her body with good stuff, naturally, and honestly, it’s just so inspiring to see her take control like that. I’m just so proud of her!
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 really hard to talk about, even with people you trust. 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 frequently talks about safeguarding her well-being, like blocking negativity online, and often 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. She explained that difficult feelings do eventually lessen with time.
As people adjusted to social distancing to limit the spread of the coronavirus, the singer of “Firework” opened up about how challenging these kinds of situations can be.
She tweeted that it’s hard to decide what’s more difficult – avoiding the virus or dealing with the sadness that comes with this new way of life. Katy explained that she often finds peace in her car, saying it’s become her safe haven since there aren’t many other places to go.
The model partnered with designer Kenneth Cole to support The Mental Health Coalition and discussed her personal struggles with anxiety on Good Morning America.
She remembered that after her panic attacks began happening again, she was finally able to find the information she needed to understand them.
Kendall shared that she experiences both good and anxious days, making her emotional state fluctuate. This is a major reason why she wanted to get involved with this particular cause – she wants people to know they’re not alone in their struggles.
The actor who played 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 care who you are. It took me a while to understand, but the most important thing is to not be afraid to talk 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 mental health support when he discussed 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 mental health support, having openly discussed her own experiences with depression. She’s shared that seeing a therapist is essential for her well-being, telling Variety, “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 a treatment using MDMA and psilocybin therapy to cope with the effects of an eating disorder and performance anxiety, both of which caused her significant distress.
She told Rolling Stone in May 2025 that this was the first time she’d toured without feeling nervous. She described a strange sensation – almost like a change in air pressure – that she and the audience shared, a powerful, physical connection. This made her understand how much she thrives on, and even needs, that intense emotional response to her music.
She explained that prioritizing her mental health and stopping birth control helped her develop a broader understanding of her gender identity.
She explained that she decided to stop taking birth control because it felt like a break from societal expectations of womanhood. It might sound strange, she admitted, but she felt liberated and like she could explore new possibilities without those constraints. She believed this newfound freedom allowed her to grow and discover more about herself.
In 2017, the actress from Riverdale shared on Instagram that she battled with serious anxiety and depression in middle school, and that support from her family and a therapist was life-saving. She emphasized the importance of reaching out for help, saying it’s the first step, and that everyone has immense value.
The singer behind the song “What He Didn’t Do” has opened up 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 got used to keeping things to myself and handling problems on my own. Eventually, a couple of years ago, I realized I needed to go back to therapy and start working through everything. I’ve actually been dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder since I was a child, not just since 2020.
The actress known for Frozen has openly shared her mental health strategies for years, both in public speeches and on social media platforms like Instagram.
She encourages people to discover what works best for them, and, as she shared with Health magazine, this could involve things like medication, practicing gratitude by listing ten positive thoughts for every negative one, and exercising regularly.
The cookbook author is a mother of four and has publicly discussed her experiences with postpartum depression, a common but often unspoken challenge 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 show others that this could happen to anyone, and to help those going through it feel less ashamed and less isolated.
While publicizing her book, Mirror, Mirror, the model shared with The Edit magazine that she struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts as a teen, 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 on her own, and after a long journey, she finally can. Now she’s able to be happy when she’s by herself.
Ariana Grande encouraged fans to prioritize their mental health after responding to a joke on Twitter about her own therapy. She shared that therapy has been life-saving for her on multiple occasions.
She encouraged me not to be afraid to ask for help. You don’t have to live with constant pain, and healing from trauma is possible. She acknowledged she had a lot of work ahead of her, but said simply recognizing that healing is possible is a good first step.
The singer has publicly shared her struggles and recovery related to addiction and mental health, and she often explores these experiences in her songs.
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 struggling – life has its highs and lows, but it’s important to keep going.”
The actress has openly discussed mental health both in her work, like her portrayal of Rue in the show Euphoria, and in her personal life.
Zendaya revealed in 2013, through her old app, that she experienced anxiety following a TV appearance on Ellen when her microphone malfunctioned. 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.
The Grammy-winning artist dedicated herself to promoting kindness and openly discussing mental health, sharing her own experiences as well.
She shared that she’d kept her mental health struggles private for a long time, but ultimately believes that being open about them is essential for healing. She said this while accepting the Global Changemakers Award at a 2018 fundraiser for Children Mending Hearts.
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2026-01-14 22:50