Kristen Bell is speaking out about her mental health journey throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
As Bell appears on the cover of Self’s May issue, her story goes hand-in-hand with mental health awareness month which runs throughout May. The 40-year-old discusses her struggles with anxiety and depression, which she has experienced since her teenage years.
The actress points out, “I know that I present someone who is very bubbly and happy all the time and a lot of the time I am because I have really good tools.” But continues, “But there are definitely days when the alarm goes off and I go, 'No, I'm staying right here. Nothing's worth it…. I'm just going to stay in this cocoon because I need to; because I feel very, very, very vulnerable.' "
Throughout the pandemic, Kristen shared that she sometimes had “trouble distinguishing between my emotions and someone else's emotions, and that's not a compliment to myself. That's a very dangerous thing to toy with."
Bell also adds that she was in a “mental zone that wasn't healthy for my family to be around."
But Bell credits her husband Dax Shepard for helping her find a better mental place by doling out some tough love. Kristen recalled Shepard saying, “'Hey, real quick, are you helping anyone right now by sitting and crying in your bed, or are you just being self-indulgent?'”
He also said to her, "'Either get up and donate money or donate your time or do something to help, or take that story in, give it some love, and come out here and be a good mom and a good wife and a good friend and live your life in honor of the suffering that happens in the world.'"
The Good Place star explains that she remembers thinking, “'How dare you?' But also, 'You're right.'”
After leaning into Dax’s advice Bell went to give blood to the UCLA Blood & Platelet Center and also donated to No Kid Hungry.
Personally, the actress finds that if she relies on doing “the right thing” that often leads her to a better place. And for her, doing the right thing sometimes just means “get you’re a** up and go walk around the block."
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Audacy's I’m Listening initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-273-8255.