Selena Gomez has been up to a lot of things over the last few years. Now halfway into the second season of “Only Murders in The Building,” her comedic timing alongside two legendary slapstick geniuses has gained her a whole new fanbase. And that’s not all she has working on.
While the pandemic brought confusion, loneliness and scattered senses of self around the world, many creatives actively chose to diversify their portfolios. Selena decided to do just that, too, by impacting the world through self-acceptance and deeper mental health initiatives.
Selena Gomez is Fighting For Mental Health
In 2020, Selena launched Rare Beauty online and at Sephora in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The line is comprised of a variety of foundation basics and long-lasting pigments in playful colors like “Always Worthy” (matte muted rose), and “Beyond Compare” (matte eggplant).
The mission behind the makeup line was always to promote self-acceptance and mental wellness.
“These products aren’t about being someone else, it’s about being who you are, whether that’s rocking a full face of bold makeup or barely any makeup at all,” Gomez shares, “Makeup is something to enjoy, it’s not something you need. I want every person to feel beautiful exactly as they are.”
Product naming conventions and messaging aim to do just that, and a portion of the proceeds go to mental health funding.
Selena’s focus on mental health has now expanded into a new brand, Wondermind, which launched last April. The goal of the brand is to provide a community where people who are working on their mental health can go to practice mental fitness, find tools for support, and start conversations that enrich their lives and encourage healing.
The State of Mental Health in The U.S.
Mental health can affect every aspect of someone’s life, and serious issues are much more common than you might think. About 1 in 5 adults live with mental illness in the United States, and that was the pre-pandemic statistic. People with serious mental health conditions have a life span up to 25-30 years shorter than the general public. 10.3% of adults in America with mental illness are uninsured, and in 2020, 57.2% of adults with mental health issues received no treatment.
Most celebrities have a far wider influence than most. When celebrities get involved in campaigns, it helps spread knowledge more widely to demographics that might not have otherwise been exposed to continuing education or information that could benefit them. A household name speaking out about topics that otherwise have a stigma attached to them can help start conversations, influence decisions, and attract people to a common cause.
Gomez has previously been vulnerable about her anxiety, depression, and bipolar diagnoses with her fans, and is adamant about creating discourse and change around stigmatized topics like mental health.
Selena’s mom, producer Mandy Teefey, is a co-CEO on the project, lending her storytelling capabilities to the fold. Newsette co-founder Daniella Pierson is the third co-CEO of the brand, having struggled with the obsessive-compulsive disorder since college.
The Mission of Selena Gomez’s Wondermind
The company operates off the belief that you have to work your brain just like other muscles in your body to allow it to operate at optimum capacity. Equal parts vent space, therapy, and beautiful community, Wondermind started with a daily newsletter and digital social space. The website plans to host free guidance and material through its blog, with written content being the bread and butter of the space early on. They are working with mental health experts, people who have experienced mental health issues firsthand or with their loved ones, and practitioners in all spaces for this content channel.
Their social media channels tout fun wallpapers, mental health reminders and statistics, guidance from mental health experts, topic prompts, and more to stay involved and work toward a healthier future. The brand recently announced a podcast “where no topic is taboo and everyone is welcome,” which is coming soon to their offerings. Wondermind’s goal is to provide free access to holistic care.
Having a sound mind and grounded existence can work wonders to keep you working toward your goals and living a life that fulfills you. Whether you have been diagnosed with mental health concerns or have yet to experience them, this community has the capacity to help you into the future.
