Say what you want about Gen Z, but one thing we can all agree on is that the younger generation has been pivotal in normalizing discussions of mental health and advocating for adequate mental health care, regardless of your age. While we usually associate the younger generations with being more vocal about mental health and therapy, individuals of all ages and all backgrounds struggle with mental health, even seemingly untouchable Hollywood royalty like Dame Julie Andrews.
At 88 years old, you may think the British actress has it all figured out, but as she bravely revealed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, she has dealt with her fair share of mental health issues throughout her career. In honor of Mental Health Awareness month, here is what Andrews has to say about therapy and the decisions that changed her life.
Julie Andrews on the Therapy That Saved Her Life
Yesterday, The Colbert Show took to TikTok to highlight an important conversation the host had with Julie Andrews, hoping to inspire viewers of all ages to advocate for themselves and take the steps to better their mental health. In the interview, Colbert asks Andrews when she first started going to therapy, which she revealed happened after her split from her first husband. “Separations are inevitable and the marriage was over, but my head was so full of clutter and garbage,” the British actress began. “Believe it or not, it was Mike Nichols who really tipped me into wanting to go to therapy because he had been and he was so sane and funny and he had a clarity that I admired.”
Admiring Nichols’ clarity and security, Andrews admitted that “I wanted that for myself and I didn’t feel I had it,” thus her therapy journey began. “So, I went and I got into it and it saved my life in a way,” she candidly noted. In terms of why Andrews wanted to share her journey with fans, she humorously but poignantly remarked, “Why not? Especially if it helps anybody else have the same idea.” As the comments on the video display, Andrews’ candor has helped others, with one commenter noting, “Older generations discussing therapy is a big deal,” and dozens of others sharing the sentiment.
