Chris McKennaAn exclusive clip from an upcoming episode of State of Mind offers one of the most raw and emotional conversations the series has featured to date. In the clip, General Hospital stars Maurice Benard and Chris McKenna speak openly about anxiety, mental health crises, and the moments that pushed them to seek help — a conversation that arrives just as McKenna publicly reveals his bipolar diagnosis, which People reported.
WARNING: The clip mentions suicidal thoughts. If you or someone you know is in crisis, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day. There is always help available via text, chat, or talk.
Key Takeaways
- Maurice Benard speaks candidly about severe anxiety during the pandemic.
- Chris McKenna opens up amid his first public disclosure of bipolar disorder.
- The State of Mind conversation focuses on treatment, honesty, and survival.
A Vulnerable Exchange Between Co-Stars
In the exclusive clip, Benard creates space for an unfiltered discussion about mental health struggles that intensified during the COVID pandemic. Speaking through tears, Benard reflects on a period marked by relentless anxiety and emotional collapse.
“Not good. Like the worst…Maybe worse than the mental institution because I literally was trying to find a way out every minute of the day,” Benard says. “There was no way I was going to make it another day.”
He describes how the isolation and disruption of that time sent his mind into overdrive, explaining how difficult it was to slow the spiraling thoughts once they took hold. Benard also shares how delays in accessing care worsened the situation, noting that when he was finally able to see a psychiatrist, he was prescribed Lexapro.
“It saved my life,” he says.
McKenna Opens Up After Years Undiagnosed
McKenna’s presence in the conversation adds another layer of gravity. In the full episode, he reveals for the first time that he lives with bipolar disorder, a diagnosis that came after years of being undiagnosed and a severe mental health crisis during the pandemic.
McKenna explains that what began as a temporary pause in work stretched into months of isolation after he moved home to help care for his mother following a serious car accident. The lack of structure, combined with stress and uncertainty, took a profound toll and ultimately led to a psychotic manic episode that required hospitalization.
Finding the right diagnosis and treatment, McKenna says, brought clarity he didn’t know he was missing — and stability he had never experienced before.
Why State of Mind Continues to Matter
Rather than sensationalizing trauma, State of Mind continues to stand out for its honesty and compassion. Benard’s willingness to speak plainly about anxiety and crisis, paired with McKenna’s first public disclosure, reinforces the importance of open conversations and access to treatment.
The exclusive clip serves as a reminder that mental health struggles often remain invisible — even to those closest to us — and that seeking help can be lifesaving.
Maurice Benard’s State of Mind with Chris McKenna drops Sun. Dec. 21 on YouTube and all major podcast platforms.
