How Selena Gomez Became the Mental Health Champion We All Needed

Gomez has also let it be known that the road to feeling better can be long and full of twists and turns.

“Last year, I was suffering mentally and emotionally and I wasn’t able to stay all kept up and together,” Gomez said while accepting the McLean Award, given to those who have furthered the public’s understanding of psychiatric illness and mental health, at the Massachusetts hospital’s annual gala in September 2019. “I wasn’t able to keep a smile or to keep things looking normal. It felt like all of my pain and my anxiety washed over me all at once and it was one of the scariest moments of my life.”

“I sought support and the doctors were able to give me a clear diagnosis,” she continued. “The moment I received that information, I actually felt equal parts of terrified and relieved. Terrified, obviously, because that veil was lifted, but relieved that I had the knowledge of why I had suffered for so many years with depression and anxiety.”

Noting how grateful she was for the support system at McLean, Gomez added, “Although this does not mean that it has all gone away, I can say that after a year of a lot of intense work, that I am happier, I am healthier and I’m in control of my emotions and thoughts more than I’ve ever been.”