Saturday, October 10, 2020, was designated World Mental Health Day and several of your favorite soap stars took to their social media accounts to share their stories and let others know they’re not alone.
Soap Stars Open Up
Courtney Hope, who will soon be bringing her very popular The Bold and the Beautiful character, Sally Spectra, over to The Young and the Restless, posted to Instagram her words of inspiration. “I have suffered from anxiety, panic attacks, depression, perfectionism and OCD since I was a KID,” she began. “I won’t get into it, but MAN it’s been a rollercoaster at times. It’s molded me into the person I am today… and it took half a lifetime to realize that it wasn’t a bad thing!”
“It’s so important to be kind, sensitive and empathetic as much as possible,” writes Kelly Kruger (ex-Mac, YR; Eva, BB). “No matter how people appear or what their life looks like from the outside. I personally have been dealing with really bad postpartum anxiety because of this pandemic. I haven’t spoken about it because I like to share things with you once I’ve mastered them and can offer advice or tools on how to cope.”
As for Linsey Godfrey (Sarah, Days of our Lives; ex-Caroline, BB), she had a more general thought she had to share that she hopes others will keep in mind. “It’s time we destigmatize mental health issues. 1 in 4 adults suffer from mental disorders. We shouldn’t shame or mock anyone born with or who developed a trauma based mental disorder. You’re not alone. I’m here. I see you. Together we aren’t alone.”
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And while Maurice Benard (Sonny, General Hospital) has been one of the most outspoken leaders on mental health and continues to lead the way with his State of Mind talks on Youtube, it’s his GH co-star, Risa Dorken, whose message about recently dealing with her diagnosis that seemed especially poignant today.
“I’m celebrating 9 months since my Bipolar I diagnosis,” began Dorken, who plays nurse Amy on the ABC soap. “Months that I spent re-learning my body, and getting my head right. I had hit rock-bottom, and couldn’t imagine getting better. I am so grateful for the help of professionals, and for medication that makes it all possible. There is no shame in needing help. I am proud of myself.”
All four soap stars had far more to say than is included here. Please see their posts in their entirety below. For more information about mental health, please visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness website.
We really all need to stop saying things like “You need to take your pills” or any of the shamed based insults around needing daily medication for mental disorders or for just having one. We need to normalize therapy, getting diagnosed & taking medication.#WorldMentalHealthDay
— Linsey Godfrey (@linseygodfrey) October 10, 2020
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