Selena Gomez first disclosed her bipolar disorder diagnosis in 2020.
Sharing the details of her mental health journey wasn’t an easy decision for Selena Gomez — but she chose to speak out to make a meaningful difference.
In a newly released interview with Billboard Español on Thursday, April 24, Gomez explained the importance of continuing to speak up about mental health awareness.
“I truly believe it’s important to speak out on issues you care about, regardless of your public status,” said Gomez, 32, who is being recognized as Woman of the Year at the 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music event on May 1.
However, she acknowledged that being open is “not for the faint-hearted,” since doing so invites scrutiny. “You’re exposing yourself, and believe me — people will criticize you just for having the courage to speak your truth,” she said.
The singer, known for her hit “Lose You to Love Me,” reflected on the anxiety she felt when she first made her struggles public.
“It was incredibly intimidating to show that kind of vulnerability — and I never wanted anyone to think of me as someone to pity,” Gomez shared.
She added, “Still, I believed that by being honest about my own experience, I might be able to support others going through something similar. I’ve accepted the criticism that comes with it, because I see the positive shift in how we talk about mental health.”
Gomez has long used her platform to promote mental health awareness. In May of last year, she hosted the third annual Rare Beauty Mental Health Summit.
And in October 2023, she organized the first-ever Rare Impact Fund Benefit at Nya Studios in Hollywood, raising funds for youth mental health programs.
During the event, she shared that her passion for the cause came from deeply personal pain.
“There were times I felt completely lost, overwhelmed by my own thoughts. When I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2020, it was a turning point,” Gomez said.
“I finally had answers — the clarity I’d been needing for years. That understanding gave me power and eased the fear I’d been carrying.”
Her 2022 documentary Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me also offers an unfiltered look into her personal battles and growth around mental health.