Selena Gomez Celebrates 31st Birthday by Advocating for Mental Health

Selena Gomez celebrated her birthday by sending a sweet message of thanks to her foundation that supports mental health and encouraged people to donate if they could. 

The actor and Rare Beauty founder rang in 31 on July 22 and decided to use the moment to thank people for helping to boost her nonprofit, Rare Impact Fund. While posting a photo of herself blowing out candles on an S-shaped cake adorned with flowers, Gomez wrote in the caption how “thankful” she is for the work that Rare Impact Fund has accomplished. 

“One of the things I am most thankful for is the work we’ve been able to do with the Rare Impact Fund through @Rarebeauty,” Gomez wrote in the caption. “Because of YOU we’ve been able to raise awareness and increase access to mental health services for young people. This is my true passion in life.”

The Rare Impact Fund “aims to reduce the stigma associated with mental health and provide young people with access to the resources they need,” according to the fund’s website. Gomez’s popular beauty brand, Rare Beauty, also donates 1% of all sales to the fund. 

“People keep asking me what I want for my birthday, and I tell everyone the same thing please do not get me anything but if you want to do something for my birthday, please donate to the Rare Impact Fund,” Gomez continued. “If you have the means, consider donating to help us make a difference.”

Gomez has been open about her mental health in the past, including in an AppleTV+ documentary about her life and career titled Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, in which she discusses being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The intimate film covers a six-year period of Gomez’s life that includes her canceling a tour because of mental health issues, a Lupus diagnosis, and undergoing kidney transplant surgery.