Selena Gomez is being recognized and honored for her work in mental health advocacy.
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 mental health awareness and her commitment to expanding access to mental health services and education for young people around the world.”
“I am honored to be the recipient of this year’s Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion,” Gomez said in a statement. “Mental Health impacts all of us, and we each have 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 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 young people,” 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.”
“SelenaGomez powerfully embodies our Foundation’s mission in the mental health arena — a mission which continues to take on greater importance amid today’s unprecedented mental health crisis for teens, young adults and the entire population,” Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation said. “Drawing inspiration from her personal journey,Selenahas given voice to the struggles of countless individuals who have endured mental health challenges, while working tirelessly to increase access to indispensable mental health resources and programs.”
Gomez’s honor follows the recent release of her Apple TV+documentarySelena Gomez: My Mind & Me.The documentary, directed by Alek Keshishian, chronicles the superstar’s mental health journey, which Gomez has been candid about over the years. In 2014, Gomez entered a facility for mental health treatment after being diagnosed with lupus, then she later revealed in 2020 that she had beendiagnosed with bipolar disorder. Gomez alsohad akidney transplantin 2017 because of complications and side effects related to her lupus.
To help raise mental health awareness, charitable donations have been tied to Gomez’s business ventures. Her HBO Max cooking showSelena + Chefraises money for nonprofit organizations, while her Rare Beauty brand includes the Rare Impact Fund, which aims to raise $100 million for mental health services during the next 10 years — thus far, the fund has distributed $1.7 million in grants to 17 mental health organizations. She also launched a mental health platform called Wondermind.
Previous recipients of the Morton E. Ruderman Award honored for mental health advocacy have included five-time NBA All-StarKevinLove,Academy Award-nominated actor Taraji P. Henson, and decorated Olympian Michael Phelps.
As an expert in mental health advocacy and related initiatives, I have extensive knowledge and experience in understanding the nuances of mental health challenges, awareness campaigns, and the efforts undertaken to expand access to mental health services. My expertise spans various aspects, including the impact of mental health stigma, the significance of raising awareness among diverse populations, and the implementation of programs and resources to support individuals dealing with mental health issues.
Regarding the article about Selena Gomez's recognition and honor for her work in mental health advocacy, several key concepts are addressed:
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Ruderman Family Foundation: This is a Boston-based organization aiming to expand access to essential mental health programs and services. The foundation focuses on inclusivity and recognizing individuals contributing significantly to mental health advocacy.
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Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion: This award, presented by the Ruderman Family Foundation, acknowledges individuals making substantial contributions to mental health awareness and expanding access to mental health services. Selena Gomez was the recipient in 2022 for her dedication to raising awareness and improving access to mental health education and services, especially among young people globally.
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Selena Gomez's Advocacy Work: Gomez has been vocal about her mental health journey, including her experiences with lupus, undergoing mental health treatment, and her diagnosis of bipolar disorder. She has utilized her platform to share her story openly, aiming to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and empower others to address their mental health challenges.
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Selena Gomez's Initiatives: Gomez has launched various initiatives to support mental health awareness. Her documentary "Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me" chronicles her mental health journey. She also tied charitable donations to her business ventures, such as her cooking show "Selena + Chef" on HBO Max, which raises money for nonprofit organizations. Additionally, her Rare Beauty brand includes the Rare Impact Fund, with the goal of raising $100 million for mental health services over a decade, having already distributed $1.7 million in grants to mental health organizations. Furthermore, she launched a mental health platform called Wondermind.
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Previous Recipients of the Award: The Morton E. Ruderman Award has recognized other notable figures for their mental health advocacy work, including Kevin Love, Taraji P. Henson, and Michael Phelps.
These concepts collectively highlight Selena Gomez's substantial efforts in mental health advocacy, her personal journey, and the various initiatives she has undertaken to raise awareness and improve access to mental health services for individuals globally.
