Selena Gomez has revealed that she hasn’t been on the internet in four-and-a-half years in a bid to help her mental health.
Coinciding with the launch of her mental health resource site Wondermind, the 29-year-old singer-actress stopped by Good Morning America Monday (April 4) to chat about her mental wellness journey, which she says took a huge turn for the better after she decided to step away from social media.
“I haven’t been on the internet in four and a half years,” Gomez revealed. “It has changed my life completely. I am happier. I am more present. I connect more with people. It makes me feel normal.”
She explained that while she assists her team with curating her content, she herself isn’t the person hitting the post button.
“I understand how powerful the internet is, and in so many ways it’s done the best things for the world. But for me, I get to my news that is actually important I get through people in my life,” Gomez said.
Gomez, along with her mom, Mandy Teefey, and businesswoman Daniella Pierson, have kickstarted the mental fitness company Wondermind, which provides mental health resources for free online. The site offers a newsletter and promises the future arrival of a podcast, as well as psychological practices and tools people can use to practice “mental fitness.”
“I really want people to be understood and seen and heard,” Gomez said. “If I’m known for anything, I hope it’s simply just for the way I care about people.”
The Only Murders in the Building star told “GMA” the goal is to make resources available to those in need.
“There are places where people go when they need help, and it’s unfortunate that they cost ridiculous amounts of money,” Gomez said. “But [as with] Planned Parenthood, there’s a place for women to feel okay and to feel understood, and I want that for mental health.”
Watch Selena talk about her mental health journey, quitting social media, and launching Wondermind with GMA below:
