10 Successful Black Celebs Who Opened Up About Their Mental Health

Serena Williams: Top-Ranked Professional Tennis Player The star athlete took a lengthy hiatus from the tennis court following her shocking loss at the U.S. Open in September 2015. According to her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, Williams was suffering from depression and needed time to recover from a knee injury. ''I definitely have not been happy,'' Williams said. "Especially when I had that second surgery, I was definitely depressed. I cried all the time. I was miserable to be around.'' Jesse Jackson Jr.: Former Democratic Congressman In 2012, Jackson underwent treatment for bipolar depression at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. His longtime friend, U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, told CNN that the then-congressman was suffering from a "serious depression — deep, deep depression." Jackson took a secret medical leave that June and returned home in September. Halle Berry: Oscar-winning Actress In a March 1997 interview with Ebony Magazine, Berry revealed the depression and devastation she experienced when her former husband, David Justice, decided to end their marriage. The actress said she even contemplated suicide. "It took away my self-esteem. It beat me down to the lowest of lows — the gum on the bottom of David’s shoe, that’s what I felt like. Somewhere in my heart, I think I knew I didn’t really want to end my life. I just wanted to end the pain." Kanye West: Hip-Hop Superstar In a track off his latest album "The Life Of Pablo," West raps about being crazy when he's "off his Lexapro." Lexapro is a drug commonly used to treat depression and anxiety disorders. The rapper even addressed both suicide and depression in a 2012 song titled "Clique." Some suspect West's downward spiral and recent erratic behavior could be linked to the sudden death of his mother in 2007. Beyoncé Knowles-Carter: Singer-Songwriter and World Class Entertainer In a 2006 interview with Parade Magazine, the singer said she experienced a bout with depression after former band mates, LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett, left Destiny's Child. The ex-members later sued Knowles' father for mismanagement. "I didn't eat," she told the magazine. "I stayed in my room. I was in a really bad place in life, going through that lonely period: 'Who am I? Who are my friends?' My life changed." The star also revealed the deep sadness she felt following her miscarriage in the 2013 HBO documentary "Life is But a Dream." T.I.: Hip Hop's King of the South The Atlanta rapper revealed to journalist Larry King that depression and paranoia ultimately led to his October 2007 arrest. T.I. was sentenced to one year and one day behind bars for attempting to illegally purchase firearms. When asked why he tried to buy the guns in the first place, he said, "It came from an attempt that was made on my life. My best friend had died in my arms. It caused a state of depression and paranoia. My judgment was jaded, and I felt my life was in danger. … At the time, when I felt the need to have these things, I never took into consideration the legalities; I only took into consideration the protection of my life and family." Janet Jackson: Internationally Renowned Pop Star In a 1998 Washington Post interview, Jackson discussed her struggle with depression as a young adult. "I remember, even after the 'Rhythm Nation' tour in 1990, when I was in my early 20s, I was really bummed out," she told the publication. "Looking back on it now, it was depression. But it hits a lot of people – and a lot of artists – and I didn't know that. Nobody ever talked about that in my family – I still haven't talked to anybody in my family about it." Lee Thompson Young stars as Alex in SOUTH BEACH on UPN.Gallery Photo: Robert Voets/UPN. ©2005 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved Lee Thompson Young: Actor and Former Disney Channel Star According to Young's family, the "Famous Jet Jackson" star was diagnosed with bipolar depression as a teenager. He often experienced short episodes of deep sadness, but always recovered quickly, his family said. Unfortunately, the sadness got to be too much. Young was found dead in his apartment on August 19, 2013 from a self-inflicted gun shot wound. Alicia Keys: Singer-Songwriter and Pianist Keys revealed her struggle with depression in a 2007 article for People Magazine. The singer said that for the longest time, she suffered in silence and tried to hide what she was going through. "I was feeling so sad all the time, and I couldn't shake it," Keys said. "I started burying my feelings, and it got to a point where I couldn't even tell my family or my friends, 'I'm twisted,' or 'I'm exhausted,' or 'I'm so angry.' ... I became a master of putting up the wall so that I was unreadable." Michelle Williams: Gospel Artist and Former Member of Destiny's Child The gospel singer revealed her battle with depression back in 2013. Williams told the Associated Press she has been dealing with the mental illness since she was a teen. "I've dealt with depression," the singer and actress said. "I had to choose to get out of bed and do whatever I needed to do to be happy." Williams now uses her platform to encourage others to seek help if they need it.

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