15 Inspiring Quotes from Black Celebs About Prioritizing Their Mental Health

Singer Keri Hilson burst onto the scene in 2009 and seemingly had the world at her feet. But a less successful sophomore album and a painful breakup left her at a low point. But since that time, Hilson has been open about her battle with depression and how she’s managed to come out stronger on the other side.

In June 2022, she tweeted:

American Idol alum Fantasia Barrino battled depression for years before a 2010 suicide attempt. But she credits nurses in the hospital with nursing her back to health physically and mentally.

Actress Kerry Washington has always been outspoken about the importance of her mental health. And in a 2015 interview with Glamour, Washington said she’s been open about seeing a therapist in hopes that it will help normalize the idea of prioritizing mental health.

In a 2018 issue of ESSENCE, the GRAMMY-award winning singer got real about her ongoing struggle with depression and how she’s been able to work through it, writing:

In an interview on The Read podcast, writer, actress and producer Issa Rae opens up about choosing to make therapy a priority, saying:

Janelle Monae has been an outspoke advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. And in 2022, she was honored for her work with Trevor Project’s Suicide Prevention Advocate Award. In her acceptance speech, she encouraged the audience to make caring for their mental health

Taraji P. Henson might be one of the most outspoken advocates for mental health in Hollywood. In addition to being open about her own struggles with mental health issues, she’s done her part to help others in need. Her Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation works to erase the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community by connecting them with culturally-competent programs and resources.

In 2020, she launched a campaign to connect African Americans to free therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an announcement for the campaign, she said:

Rapper Kendrick Lamar has always been candid about his struggles with mental health, even in his music. On the track “Father Time,” from his album, Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers, he raps about learning to keep things inside from his father.

“I got daddy issues, that’s on me
Everything them four walls had taught me, made habits bury deep.”

But n a Spotify mini doc entitled, “A Day In Ghana with Kendrick Lamar,” the rapper opened up about how he had to overcome issues of the past to get the help he needed.

In a 2022 interview with Good Housekeeping, the gymnast talked about her decision to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympic Games to focus on her mental health, saying”

EGOT-winner Viola Davis shared a graphic depicting the impact of racism on mental health, in an Instagram post, she captioned:

In a 2022 panel discussion with Senior Writer Candace McDuffie at The Root Institute, actor Courtney B. Vance opened up about how therapy helped him cope with the loss of his father. During the conversation, he told the audience he believes everyone can benefit from therapy, saying:

At just 25 years old, tennis player Naomi Osaka does her best to prioritize her mental health, even when her decisions impact her career, including her decision to withdraw from the French Open in 2021 to protect her mental well-being.

In a 2021 essay in Time Magazine, the young star wrote about her decision to focus on her mental health and made an impassioned plea to the media to give athletes space when they need it.

Both the pressure of the spotlight and the eventual breakup of the group had a deep impact on Williams and her mental health. In 2021, she released a book, Checking In: How Getting Real About Depression Saved My Life - and Can Save Yours, in which she writes about how seeking help saved her life.

Actress Lisa Nicole Carson, best known for her roles in Love Jones and Ally McBeal, opened up to ESSENCE in July 2015 about her struggles with bipolar disorder and her decision to step back from her career to prioritize her mental health, saying:

In 2016, artist Kid Cudi took a break from his career to seek help after a battle with depression and suicidal thoughts. In an interview with SELF, the artist talked about how his friends, fans and family (especially his daughter) providing the inspiration he needed to take care of himself at one of the lowest points in his life.