Why Sophia Bush Is My Mental Health Activist Crush

I. Love. Sophia. Bush. I wish she was my older sister or mom or something, I love her. She is gorgeous, her voice is so soothing, she’s an amazing actress and an incredible activist. Like many others, I was first introduced to her during the hit series, “One Tree Hill” when she played Brooke Davis. Throughout the first few seasons, Brooke Davis was definitely portrayed as a typical high school “party girl” who slept with a bunch of guys, was head cheerleader and drank too much. But when the seasons switched over to after the gang had graduated, her character had probably the most radical transformation out of them all.

We are introduced to Brooke’s “new” self as we see her as the CEO of her own wildly successful clothing line, “Clothes Over Bros.” As she’s walking through her office, she notices a picture of a model as a draft for her magazine and immediately says, “Absolutely not. There is no way she gets on the cover of my magazine unless she gains 10 pounds, minimum. She looks unhealthy.” Her employees say they were just brainstorming and she replies, “Brainstorm better. Anorexia is a disease, not a fashion statement.”

This isn’t the first time Sophia Bush has spoken up about eating disorders and mental illness. She has written for To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA) and spoken at several of their events, she was furious several years ago when Urban Outfitters came out with a t-shirt that said “Eat Less” and her Twitter is full of activism as she inspires people to believe they are enough just the way they are.

In the show, Brooke Davis’s compassion is also portrayed so beautifully. We see this through how she serves as a foster mom to Sam, protecting and loving her in every situation. We see her strength and her bravery after she was physically assaulted, and how she learned to deal and cope with it. We see how amazing of a friend she is to everyone she meets, even those who leave. She loves fully and deeply and it is beautiful to watch.

As someone who struggles with mental illness personally, it is so encouraging to know there are celebrities out there who see and acknowledge it is such a pressing problem right now and speak up about it. There’s a few quotes I’ll leave you all with some quotes from Sophia Bush that never fail to bring me a little bit of comfort.

“What I know is that depression is a foe you cannot turn your back on. What I know is that you are not alone. It’s hard to admit that you are falling apart, especially when everyone thinks you “have it all together.” But please. Be as courageous about your big, bad fears as you are about your passions in those moments of greatness. Tell someone you are breaking. You’ll discover that they are broken too, so they can probably help you pick up some of your pieces and lighten your load. Please. Think about how wounded even strangers feel at the loss of this man’s light. SOMEONE out there feels that way about YOU. I promise. It’s okay to be broken. To be scared. To need help. It’s okay. It’s profoundly human. It happens to the best of us. It’s okay. You matter to people you aren’t even aware of. It’s okay.” “I think the sexiest thing on anybody is intelligence. I respect somebody who has a brain and wants to use it more than a pretty face and status.” — Sophia Bush

“Life is too short, and I’m Italian. I’d much rather eat pasta and drink wine than be a size 0.” — Sophia Bush

“I think the greatest thing that we can do is take care of each other.” — Sophia Bush

“I’ve always wanted to speak up for people who don’t have a voice. I’ve always wanted to protect people who couldn’t protect themselves. It’s my nature. It’s my instinct.” — Sophia Bush

“Know that someone out there believes in you and loves you. And if you haven’t met that person yet, you will. You are valuable. Special. And you matter. The things that make you different make you unique. And unique is beautiful.” — Sophia Bush

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Photo via “One Tree Hill” Facebook page.