15 Of J Balvin’s most powerful lessons on dealing with anxiety & depression

“Mental health doesn’t care about your age, your race, your background; none of those things," he wrote in his essay for People. "It doesn’t care what you look like, or who you’re dating, or how much money you have in the bank. Of course it’s different for each of us. But it affects all of us."

In an interview with The Guardian, J Balvin talked about how a few years ago, when he was really starting to succeed professionally, he became depressed and the people around him couldn't understand it. “Yes, I have everything. Yes, I’m depressed. It’s not related and anyway it depends on what ‘everything’ is to you," he explained.

Having a mental illness can feel incredibly isolating, but it's important to remember that you are not alone. “Mental health illnesses are a reality. I have suffered from depression and I have suffered from anxiety, so I have to accept it. And that makes me more human, makes me understand that life comes with challenges,” Balvin said during one of his concerts.

J Balvin went on to say at the same concert: "But if someone is going through a difficult time, they are not alone, light always comes. Sooner or later, the light comes.” As someone who suffers from anxiety and depression too, I can tell you that he is absolutely right. It will pass. Even when it seems like it won't, trust that it will because it will. It always does.

"And also, because I am Latino—I know there can be a certain stigma in my community when it comes to mental well-being. Many Latino men will not want to talk about depression, because they fear it is not a manly thing, or that they will then be known as loco. But I don’t hesitate to say that I have been depressed," J Balvin wrote. He's not wrong, but let's not forget that the stigma applies across the Latino community regardless of gender.

"There are many ways that I have dealt with my mental health. I have gone to see doctors. I have taken medication. These things are essential. But one other method that has meant everything to me—and is the reason I’m writing this—is meditation," wrote J Balvin.

“There’s a lack of information about depression. There’s one thing—being sad—which is emotional, the other thing is depression, which is a chemical thing in your brain. Depression is some different kind of monster that you cannot deal with if you don’t have the right medication,” J Balvin said in an interview. And yet, so many people will try to give you a hard time about taking medication. Don't let their confusion or lack of understanding get in the way of you taking care of yourself. You certainly wouldn't tell them not to take medicine for heart disease if their doctor prescribed it, would you?

J Balvin has admitted to being reluctant to seeking therapy for a long time because he didn't want people to think he was "crazy." Thankfully, he got over it. “I did everything but the right thing, which was to go to the person who can check my brain,” he said. “That was the very last move but it was the most important one and that’s when I understood things better. So when I had the depression, the last thing I did was go to the shrink.”

"We cannot know what nobody has taught us. Many Latinos do not seek treatment because they don't recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions or know where to find help," reads a page dedicated to the Latinx/Hispanic community on the National Alliance for Mental Illness website. That's why it's great that someone like J Balvin is using his platform to help educate people on mental health.

On November 2, 2019, after two months of a depressive episode, J Balvin tweeted that he was finally starting to "feel the sky" again. He also urged anyone who might be going through something similar to seek professional help. If you don't know where to start, speak to your health care provider and tell them what you are going through and that you suspect it may be a mental health issue. Advocate for yourself and do not let them brush off your concerns. If you need help, bring a friend or family member with you to help you.

J Balvin posted this video on November 3, 2019 and thanked everyone for their support during what was a difficult two months for him. He also reminds everyone that our "greatest wealth is health." If you don't have your health, what do you really have? And your mental health is simply a part of your overall health.

When J Balvin posted this picture on September 20, 2019, he shared that taking anxiety seriously is not crazy and that what is crazy is not taking it seriously. He urged everyone going through mental health struggles to seek help and to know that they are not crazy for looking for a psychiatrist.

"Why? Because in many ways it is the most natural step. Meditation is about opening your mind to self awareness. It’s about understanding that your mind isn’t just an idea—it’s a living, breathing thing, something that needs to be cared for and looked after. Meditation is the act of mental hygiene," he stated.

J Balvin partnered with Deepak Chopra to create a free 21-day mediation program called Renew Yourself: Body, Mind & Spirit because he strongly believes that meditation is one of the first steps that should be taken to achieve mental and spiritual wellness. "And meditation is something that—for as long as I have this big platform—I want to help promote to the world," he affirmed.

"Renew Yourself won’t only be free, it will also be Chopra’s first-ever bilingual partnership. Even just writing that makes me excited," wrote J Balvin. "I love the thought of it. Millions of people around the world…now able to open their minds, their bodies, their spirits in Spanish. Now able to be a part of that connective fabric."

Such a beautiful gift! Go check out Renew Yourself for yourself and see what it can do for you. Even if you don't have any pressing mental health issues, meditation is a great way to maintain your mental health and stay present. Also, we're all going through some major world drama right now and can benefit from mindfulness to keep us grounded.