Selena Gomez is being recognized and honored for her work advocating mental health.
Gomez has been selected by the Boston-based Ruderman Family Foundation, which aims to expand access to essential mental health programs and services, as the recipient of the 2022 Morton E. Ruderman Award. on Integration. Gomez was honored for “her dedication to raising mental health awareness and her commitment to expanding access to youth mental health education and services.” all over the world.”
“I am honored to receive this year’s Morton E. Ruderman Award for Inclusion,” Gomez said in a statement. “Mental Health impacts all of us, and each of us has a role to play in ensuring that everyone – regardless of their background – has access to mental health services. I hope by sharing my own story and using my platform, we can empower each other and more young people to tackle mental health.”
“We know that the stigma associated with mental health has led to silence around this issue. I want to change that, especially for young people,” she said. “I’ve been open and honest about my journey with mental health, and it hasn’t always been easy, but it’s something I’m constantly working on.”
“Selena Gomez strongly embodies our Foundation’s mission in the area of mental health – a mission that continues to take on even greater importance amid the current unprecedented mental health crisis for young adults. teens, young adults and the entire population,” said Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation. “Inspired by her personal journey, Selena has spoken out for the struggles of countless individuals who endure mental health challenges, while working tirelessly to increase access indispensable mental health programs and resources.”
Gomez’s honor after her Apple TV+ documentary was recently released Selena Gomez: My mind and I. The documentary, directed by Alek Keshishian, chronicles the superstar’s mental health journey that Gomez has candidly told over the years. In 2014, Gomez entered a facility for mental health treatment after being diagnosed with lupus, then, in 2020, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Gomez also received a kidney transplant in 2017 because of complications and side effects related to her lupus.
To help raise awareness about mental health, charitable donations have been tied to Gomez’s businesses. Her HBO Max Cooking Show Selena + chef fundraising for nonprofits, while her Rare Beauty brand includes the Rare Impact Fund, which aims to raise $100 million for mental health services over the next 10 years — To date, the Foundation has allocated $1.7 million in grants to 17 mental health organizations. She also launched a mental health platform called Wondermind.
Morton E. Ruderman Award recipients honored for their advocacy of mental health include five-time NBA All-Star Kevin Love, Oscar-nominated actor Taraji P. Henson and Olympic athlete Michael Phelps was honored.
