Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard are giving us couple goals in the best way: By openly talking about their mental health.
The duo was recognized earlier this month at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Voice Awards, an honor given to public figures who excel in behavioral health advocacy.
In their acceptance video, Bell and Shepard acknowledged the mental illness stigma and proudly claimed that they will continue to speak out about psychological and substance use disorders in the media.
“For me personally, I love talking about my issues because hiding things leads to shame and shame is [not good],” Bell said. “So I will continue to do so.”
Earlier this year, Bell discussed her own experiences with depression in an interview on “Off Camera with Sam Jones.” She revealed that she first started struggling with the disorder as a teenager, and her mother encouraged her to seek treatment. The “Frozen” actress also slammed the negative stereotypes people with mental illness face in a candid essay for TIME.
“There is such an extreme stigma about mental health issues, and I can’t make heads or tails of why it exists,” she wrote in the piece. “Anxiety and depression are impervious to accolades or achievements. Anyone can be affected, despite their level of success.”
Mental illness, which brings about debilitating physical and emotional symptoms, is rather common. Nearly one in four people globally will experience a mental health issue at some point. However, research shows there’s still judgment associated with the conditions.
In the SAMHSA video, Shepard implored people to share their own experiences with mental health issues or anything else that society often regards as “weak” or a “flaw.” Why? Because it not only helps the person dealing with an issue, it also helps others.
“I always learn a lot more from people’s trials and failures and struggles than their big victories,” he said.
Can we just listen to these two talk all day?
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