Megan Thee Stallion Releases A Mental Health Website

Megan Thee Stallion’s Website Provides Mental Health Resources

Following the release of her new album, Traumazine, Megan Thee Stallion announced her new mental health website, Bad B*****s Have Bad Days Too. The title, attention-grabbing in its own right, comes from the chorus of “Anxiety,” a catchy tune about the frustration of living with mental illness.

In an interview with Apple Music, the artist spoke about how writing this album was the first time she allowed herself to be vulnerable during the creation process. “Usually when I write songs, like, I could be sad and I’ll write a song like ‘Body.’” Chuckling, Stallion continued, “I don’t write songs about how I feel, I write songs about how I wanna feel.” She explains that writing the songs on Traumazine was the first time she figured out how to actually say what she wanted to; she found space to let her guard down and express authenticity, “I wanted to take control of my narrative, take control of my own story, tell it my own way…tell it from me.”

Celebrities Speak Out About Mental Health

Megan Thee Stallion is hardly the first celebrity to speak openly about her experiences with mental health; roughly a month ago Jonah Hill stated that he will no longer be participating in any media events to preserve his mental wellbeing. From actors to athletes, more and more stars are advocating for mental wellness and general destigmatization. Some, like Stallion, are taking matters into their own hands and creating websites, apps, or general forums where people can both gather in community as well obtain helpful information on how to maintain a healthy mind.

Bad B*****s Have Bad Days Too compiles various mental health resources, many that address the particularly unique struggles of specific groups like the LGBTQ community or Black women. On average, people of color are 28% to 60% less likely to receive treatment than their White counterparts. Featuring organizations like Therapy for Black Girls, Black Emotional & Mental Health Collective, Stronghearts Native Helpline and many more, Stallion’s website is notably beneficial in providing information to fans and listeners of all backgrounds, but particularly those historically under-serviced.

Stars With Mental Health Platforms

Selena Gomez, Mandy Teefy, And Daniella Pierson’s Wondermind

First announced in late 2021, Wondermind is a startup company founded by mother-daughter duo Selena Gomez and Mandy Teefy and entrepreneur Daniella Pierson. The basic idea of the project is to help people practice mental fitness, emphasizing that just like every other muscle in the human body, one must dedicate time to strengthen the mind. With an aim to appeal to “everyone with feelings,” (as opposed to solely those who experience mental illness) Pierson told Forbes in an email that their goal in Wondermind’s design was to create “a sexier, more entertaining competitor to Psychology Today, WebMD, etc. for the millions of people searching about mental health daily.” Wondermind provides resources like journal prompts, real stories, articles on everything from ‘reasons to try therapy’ to various life hacks for different conditions, as well as an option to sign up for their newsletter.

Taraji P. Henson’s Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation

Created in memory of and named after her father, Taraji P. Henson’s Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF) aims to “[eradicate] the stigma around mental health issues in the African-American community.” During the spring of last year, BLHF launched an awareness campaign called The Unspoken Curriculum which intended to highlight the ways in which Black students experience mental health issues in schools. Henson also co-hosts a Facebook Watch Original show with best friend, Tracie Jade, that explores Black experiences with mental health. Through personal stories, Peace of Mind aims to “bring mental health out of the shadows” and make transparent the disparity in overall mental wellness experienced in the Black community.

J Balvin’s App, OYE

Around the same time Megan Thee Stallion announced her new website, Colombian reggaeton artist J Balvin launched OYE, a bilingual app intended to provide a space for people to channel their mental struggles into creativity. Translating to “listen,” OYE can easily be switched between Spanish and English and features tools like emotional check-ins, creative wellness videos and exercises, a personal goal setting tool, and more. In a statement shared with TODAY, Balvin says he created OYE “to bring a deeper understanding of the healing powers of these creative wellness practices to the global community—for both Spanish and English speaking audiences worldwide.”

Does Celebrities’ Openness About Mental Health Actually Help Their Fans?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), roughly 1 billion people around the world live with a mental health disorder. In the United States alone, the numbers show 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness. Thanks to social media and the widespread accessibility of the internet, it’s feasible to wonder if/how celebrities’ involvement could change things for their followers. Clinical assistant professor of clinical psychology at the University of Denver, Dr. Breigh Jones-Coplin told CNN of celebrities:

They have a reach that obviously a lot of the mental health professionals in the field don’t have. Of course, that comes with a lot of pros and cons. Having the influence is one (pro), but also making sure you use that power for good to get across accurate and helpful information. People just don’t know where to start…which is what makes these platforms really useful.

For many people, it can feel invasive or uncomfortable to talk about their feelings, especially considering various cultures and often the lack of acceptance or understanding of the validity of mental wellness. Dr. Amanda J. Calhoun, Yale University psychiatry resident said, “As a Black woman, I represent less than 2% of psychiatrists (in the US). There is a lot of power in having a mental health professional who looks like you. [A]s a Black women and as a psychiatrist, I also spend a lot of time educating myself on things that are not taught in my standard psychiatric education.”

Overall, the general consensus is positive; stars who use their voice and platform to extend awareness and resources show their fans that mental wellness is just as important as physical health. However, just like any other information that is widely accessible, these websites and platforms are not meant to serve as a sole means to achieve mental soundness.

If You Are Struggling With Your Mental Health, Get Professional Help

As mental health slowly becomes less stigmatized and people—stars and laypeople alike—continue to share their experiences, it is important to remember to not self-diagnose or seek treatment/medication without the help of a professional. Resources like Bad B*****s Have Bad Days Too, Wondermind, OYE, and BLFH help us feel more connected and less alone, but should not be used to determine the state of your mental health. If you or someone you love is struggling with mental illness, help is available. Contact a therapist and get started on your wellness journey, today.