Despite the ongoing efforts, there is still a strong stigma around mental health. Stigma arises from a lack of understanding of mental illness (ignorance and misinformation), and also because some people have negative beliefs and attitudes towards it. This can lead to discrimination against people with mental illness. Today, numerous celebrities are sharing their stories with mental illness to help tackle the stigma. Here is proof that mental illness can affect anyone. 

Demi Lovato has been a public figure and performer since her teenage years. In 2010, Lovato opened up about her struggles with bullying, addiction, self harm, depression, and an eating disorder. Lovato sought treatment for addiction and eating disorder and learned of a new diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. 

Lovato has since learned coping skills and new ways to manage her emotions. She is actively tackling the stigma around mental illness with television interviews, social media posts, and being the celebrity spokesperson for Be Vocal: Speak Up for Mental Health Campaign. 

Chrissy Teigen is the wife of music artist John Legend, model, successful cookbook author and a television host. In 2017, Teigen opened up about her struggle with postpartum depression after the birth of her daughter Luna. Teigen explains Luna was perfect, "Luna is exactly me, exactly John, and exactly herself. I adore her". Teigen explains she had everything she needed to be happy but she for roughly a year she was depressed. 

Chrissy Teigen emphasized the importance of speaking up about her postpartum depression. Teigen drove home the idea that it can happen to anybody and there is no reason to feel embarrassed, shame, or alone. 

When most people think of rappers, they view them as bold, elaborate, strong, and fierce. However, even the toughest people can be affected by mental illness. Well known rapper, Kendrick Lamar, has endured severe depression and suicidal thoughts. In his album To Pimp a Butterfly, Lamar reveals to his supports and fans his on going battle with depression.  Lamar also describes he struggled with survivors guilt after losing one of his closest friends. 

Kendrick Lamar continues to write and produce music around his mental health struggles and wants to emphasize to the world that it can happy to anyone and it is important to recognize it and seek help.

Seven time Olympic medalist and sexual abuse surviver, Simon Biles, shared her mental health struggles after the Tokyo Olympic games. During the olympics, Simon Biles endured mental health struggles during the games regarding the sexual abuse investigation of former USA Gymnastics team, Larry Nassar. In addition,  Biles also endured an unexpected loss of a family member during the Tokyo Olympics.

Simon continues to discuss her struggles with anxiety and therapy. Biles shares her vulnerable, raw mental health quotes to break the stigma, such as "Your anxiety is lying to you". Simon is on anxiety medication and discusses her struggle with finding what works for her. 

Lady Gaga is a well know music artist and actress however, some may not know she is a victim and survivor of rape. In 2014, Gaga admitted when she was 19 years old, she was a victim of rape. Gaga spoke openly in December 2016 about her struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Gage explained she wanted to use her platform to emphasize that others are not alone 

Jim Carrey is a successful actor, who has spent decade entertaining the public. Jim Carrey often portrays a funny, bright character in his movies. It could be hard to imagine someone we appears so lively on television could be struggling with mental illness. Jim Carrey has admitted his struggle with depression and his use of anti-depressants. Carrey emphasizes he manages his struggles through healthy lifestyle choice. Carrey encourages others to be in-touch with their emotions and to not feel shame for taking the steps someone may need to get better. 

It is widely known that exercise is great for your physical health and improving your physique, but did you know its extremely beneficial to your mental health? Exercise is much more than lifting weights, running, or trying to lose weight and tone muscles. Exercise or physical activity positively impacts a number of biological, as well as psychological, mechanisms.  Exercise is medicine- It allows for better sleep, more motivation, and more focused, positive thoughts. Regular exercise can have a profound impact on mood, anxiety, depression and ADHD. Research indicates that regular exercise or physical activity can be used as a powerful asset to improving overall mental health. 

Depression is a mental health disorder that is marked by persistent depressed mood or loss of interest in activities that causes impairment in every day life. Research has shown that exercise can be just as helpful as antidepressant medication with moderate levels of depression. Research has also proven that maintaining a regular exercise schedule can prevent individuals from relapsing. In a study conducted by Chan et al (2015), it was found that completing aerobic exercise for 15 minutes a day can reduce the risk of serve depression by 26%. 

As humans, our bodies and mind endure stress frequently. Sometimes our muscles are stiff, we experience painful tension headaches, chest pains, insomnia, stomachaches, etc. All of these symptoms can take a tool on our bodies, and exercise can effectively reduce this. A study conducted by Childs & de Whit (2014), showed that those who regular engage in exercise, tend to relieve emotional and physical stress, along with reduce symptoms such as heart-rate and headaches, and cortisol levels. 

ADHD affects many adults, and its wide variety of frustrating symptoms can hinder important aspects of your life. Exercising regularly is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce the symptoms of ADHD. Regular exercise improves memory, concentration, motivation, and mood. Physical activity rapidly boosts dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels. This can directly affect focus and attention. (Mehren et al., 2020).  Regular exercise can be a natural treatment for ADHD as exercise works the same was as ADHD medications like Adderall and Ritalin. 

Even if your not experiencing mental health problems, regular physical activity can still boost your mood, outlook, and mental well-being. 

Exercise can help provide: 
Sharper memory and thinking
Better sleep
Higher self-esteem
More energy