Selena Gomez is being recognized and honored for her work advocating for mental health.
Gomez was selected by the Boston-based Ruderman Family Foundation, which aims to expand access to essential mental health programs and services, as the recipient of its 2022 Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion. Gomez was honored for her “dedication to raising awareness of mental health and her commitment to expanding access to mental health services and education for young people around the world.”
“I am honored to receive this year’s Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion,” Gomez said in a statement. “Mental health affects us all, and each of us has a role to play in ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has access to mental health services. I hope that by sharing my own story and using my platform, we can empower each other and more young people to address mental health.”
“We know that the stigma associated with mental health has led to silence around the issue. I want to change that, especially for the youth,” she said. “I’ve been open and honest about my own journey with my mental health, and it hasn’t always been easy, but it’s something I’m constantly working on.”
“Selena Gomez powerfully embodies our Foundation’s mission in the field of mental health, a mission that continues to take on greater importance amidst today’s unprecedented mental health crisis for adolescents, young adults and the entire population,” Jay Ruderman, president of the Ruderman Family Foundation. said. “Drawing inspiration from her personal journey, Selena has given a voice to the struggles of countless people who have faced mental health challenges, as they work tirelessly to increase access to indispensable mental health resources and programs.”
Gomez’s honor follows the recent launch of his Apple TV+ documentary film Selena Gomez: My mind and me. The documentary, directed by Alek Keshishian, chronicles the superstar’s mental health journey that Gomez has been candid about over the years. In 2014, Gomez checked into a mental health treatment facility after being diagnosed with lupus, later revealing in 2020 that he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Gomez too had a kidney transplant in 2017 due to complications and side effects related to her lupus.
To help raise awareness for mental health, charitable donations have been linked to Gomez’s business ventures. Your HBO Max Cooking Show selena + chef raises money for nonprofits, while its Rare Beauty brand includes the Rare Impact Fund, which aims to raise $100 million for mental health services over the next 10 years; So far, the Fund has distributed $1.7 million in grants to 17 mental health organizations. He also launched a mental health platform called Wondermind.
Past recipients of the Morton E. Ruderman Award honored for mental health advocacy include five-time NBA All-Star Kevin Love, Academy Award-nominated actor Taraji P. Henson and decorated Olympian Michael Phelps.
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