Actor Colton Haynes Shares Candid Photos of Past Mental Health Hospitalization
On Aug. 18, Colton Haynes shared a series of candid photos on Instagram to show what his life looked like a year ago when he was in the hospital for addiction issues and his mental health and to encourage others who are struggling to seek help.
The actor, best known for his roles on “Teen Wolf,” “Arrow” and “American Horror Story,” first talked openly about his mental health and addiction issues in March, sharing he was six months sober. In an interview with Attitude, Haynes said he used drugs and alcohol to self-medicate while he was struggling with coming out as gay, the break-up of his marriage and death of his mother.
Alongside a series of photos of Haynes in a hospital bed and after treatment, Haynes started his recent Instagram post by explaining he didn’t want to just post on social media photos to share where he looked his best or to promote his work. He said he wanted to also use his platform to be open about the things he, and many other people, struggle with, including his mental health.
“I get immense joy when someone comes up to me & says that my willingness to open up about depression, anxiety, alcoholism, & addiction has helped them in some way,” Haynes wrote on Instagram, adding:
I’ve struggled the past year with trying to find my voice and where I fit in & that has been the most beautiful struggle I’ve ever had to go through. Worrying about what time to post on social media so I can maximize my likes or being mad at myself that I don’t look the same way I did when I was addicted to pills is a complete waste of why I was put on this earth. I’m posting these photos to let y’all in on my truth.
Other celebrities responded to Haynes’ candid post, thanking him for his honesty and for shedding light on addiction and mental health issues, including Tyler Hoechlin, Lucy Hale, Brittany Snow, Nile DiMarco, John Barrowman, Serena Williams, Ally Maki, and Rick Gonzalez.
“Brother I couldn’t be more proud of you and where you’ve arrived in this journey through life,” actor Hoechlin commented. “Thank you for bravely sharing this, I know it will help many, and even it was only 1, that would be enough. It’s been a joy to see you reach this place in your life.”
Haynes concluded his post by appreciating how far he had come since the hospital photos were taken a year earlier and reminding his followers recovery is possible.
“I’m a human being with flaws just like you,” Haynes said. “If ur in the middle of the dark times…I promise you it doesn’t have to last forever.”
Header image via Colton Haynes’ Instagram
Renée Fabian was the features editor at The Mighty. She has also written for The Washington Post, VICE, Healthline, Talkspace, The Fix, The Establishment, The Culture Trip, and GRAMMY.com, among others. Renée was named a 2019 AHCJ Comparative Effectiveness Research fellow, a 2020 USC Center for Health Journalism California fellow, and holds a master's degree in journalism from the University of Southern California and a master's degree in psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles. You can follow her on Twitter @ryfabian.
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