Selena Gomez Talked Being Mocked by the Media After Seeking Mental Health Treatment
Selena Gomez spoke to Vogue Australia about the stigma attached to mental illness and the media bullying she faced when she first sought treatment.


- Selena Gomez spoke about the stigma attached to mental illness and the media bullying she faced when she first sought treatment in her new Vogue Australia cover interview.
- "I never understood the stigma until I went to my first treatment centre," Gomez said. "But then there was a photograph that got out, and it’s wild to see how mean they were."
- "I’m watching all of that change, slowly but surely, because now, if any media outlet made fun of me, they’re the ones that look like the asshole because we don’t tolerate that anymore," she continued.
In her latest Vogue Australia cover interview, Selena Gomez spoke about the stigma attached to mental illness, and the cruel coverage she received from the media when she first sought treatment. Gomez, who shared her bipolar disorder diagnosis in an Instagram Live with Miley Cyrus last year, also discussed the positive impact of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in maintaining her mental health.
"I’ve been to four treatment centres. I think in mental health, I never understood the stigma until I went to my first treatment centre, because that was years ago," she said. "But then there was a photograph that got out, and it’s wild to see how mean they were."
A post shared by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez)
A photo posted by on
"It was like: 'She’s the next this person, she’s the childhood star,' whatever. And: 'She’s doing drugs.' They’re saying all this stuff about me," Gomez continued. "I’m watching all of that change, slowly but surely, because now, if any media outlet made fun of me, they’re the ones that look like the asshole because we don’t tolerate that anymore."
Gomez, who recently launched the Mental Health 101 campaign with Rare Beauty to improve mental health services in education, told Vogue Australia, "I have goals. I want to put this as a curriculum into schools." She also spoke about the steps she takes to protect her mental wellbeing. "I feel like I practise [DBT] every day," Gomez said. "And then I also love being in the studio. Because the first hour I’m in a studio, I just talk. It’s like therapy. You just go in and you share your heart."
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

Emily Dixon is a British journalist who’s contributed to CNN, Teen Vogue, Time, Glamour, The Guardian, Wonderland, The Big Roundtable, Bust, and more, on everything from mental health to fashion to political activism to feminist zine collectives. She’s also a committed Beyoncé, Kacey Musgraves, and Tracee Ellis Ross fan, an enthusiastic but terrible ballet dancer, and a proud Geordie lass.
-
Queen Elizabeth Agreed to a Memorable Cameo as a "Joke" for Her Grandkids
The name's Elizabeth. Queen Elizabeth.
-
'Forever' Doesn't Have a Perfect Happy Ending—And It's All the Better For It
Mara Brock Akil's Netflix romance series does justice to Keisha and Justin in the difficult decision they have to make.
-
The Only Sane Character in A24's Bromance Movie 'Friendship' Is the Female Lead—and That's By Design
The comedy starring Paul Rudd and Tim Robinson seems to agree that there’s humor to be found in the male loneliness epidemic.
-
Why Selena Gomez Got a Rash From Her First Kiss with Benny Blanco
"I was so disgusting and repulsive," Blanco joked.
-
Benny Blanco's Nickname for Selena Gomez Has to Do with Deli Meat
It does sort of sound like her name, I guess.
-
Benny Blanco Took Selena Gomez to "Prom" Since She Didn’t Get to Go as a Teen
Making your birthday about someone else? That’s true love.
-
Selena Gomez Gives a Candid Look at Her and Benny Blanco's Life in New Instagram Pics
Their lives are totally normal! Sort of...
-
Selena Gomez Shares What She Finds "Addictive" About Benny Blanco
They can't stop, won't stop complimenting each other.
-
Selena Gomez Says She’s "Excited" to Become a Mom Someday in Joint Interview with Benny Blanco
According to her fiancé, she likes kids better than adults.
-
Taylor Swift Ended Her 100-Day Instagram Hiatus to Support Selena Gomez — and Possibly Share a 'Reputation (Taylor's Version)' Easter Egg
Why some fans think the post is a sign that long-awaited re-recording of 'Reputation' is (finally) coming soon.
-
Why Fans Think Selena Gomez’s New Songs "You Said You Were Sorry" and "How Does It Feel To Be Forgotten" Are About Justin Bieber
The songs have lyrics like "happy without you," and \201cyou’re so embarrassing."