At the recent South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, Selena Gomez took the stage not to perform her hits, but to speak candidly about a topic altogether more intimate: mental health. In a profound discussion, the singer alongside her mother Mandy Teefey, and sports figure Solomon Thomas, delved into their personal mental health experiences and introduced Wondermind, a platform co-founded by Gomez and Teefey aimed at fostering mental wellness.

"I am in a better place now," Gomez said, discussing her journey through a mental health crisis that led to the cancellation of her 2016 tour, according to the Austin American-Statesman. The actress, who openly shared her bipolar diagnosis in her 2022 documentary, felt that speaking out provided an "insane release." Despite initial fears, the feedback reassured her that tackling mental health issues publicly is vital.

Addressing the gathered crowd, Gomez's mother spoke about the negative patterns of self-talk she once struggled with. "If I wouldn't say that to my best friend, I am not allowed to say that to myself," Teefey recalled, as per the Austin American Statesman. Meanwhile, Thomas, who spent the majority, of his 18-year NFL career grappling with negativity towards himself, has turned to positive affirmations to boost his confidence.

The Austin Chronicle quoted Thomas on the panel's emphasis on normalizing conversations around mental health: "[It’s] just making sure people know these are normal things to talk about," he said. This sentiment was echoed by Gomez, who stressed the importance of honesty and vulnerability when confronting mental health issues.