Taye Diggs on Mental Health, Raising His Teen Son, & More

Taye Diggs is on a mission: to interrupt the stigmas surrounding schizophrenia, for each his technology and the following.

For the actor, it’s a trigger with private which means. Diggs’ youthful sister, Christian, was identified with schizophrenia in her late 20s, and at present, the siblings work with Bristol Myers Squibb on the “Live Your PosSCZible” marketing campaign to not solely elevate consciousness about schizophrenia but in addition assist create prospects for these dwelling with it.

The pair co-hosted an LA expertise occasion that includes the schizophrenia neighborhood, and Diggs says to SheKnows that he’s excited for individuals to see how “well-rounded, inventive, and multi-layered of us are who’re identified with schizophrenia.”

Per NIMH, schizophrenia is a critical psychological situation that impacts 2.4 million adults within the US alone. It could actually include hallucinations, delusions, and disordered pondering that might closely have an effect on every day functioning. It may be impairing, however it doesn’t need to outline you — and that’s what this sibling duo needs to remind everybody.

“It was a beautiful instance of simply how these of us are usually not letting the analysis outline them. I noticed these individuals on stage, and so they have been sensible artists versus individuals struggling and coping with schizophrenia. I noticed that facet of them, that aspect, and it was actually eye-opening,” Diggs says. “I’m grateful. I’m persevering with to be taught and my eyes proceed to be open wider and wider so far as what life with these variations has in retailer.”

Is it any shock to followers that in his chat with SheKnows, he answered every query so thoughtfully, pondering each phrase he uttered to ensure individuals really felt what he was saying. Whether or not it was speaking about what he realized by way of his sister’s experiences, his personal journey with psychological well being, and even speaking concerning the classes he’s instructing his teen son, Diggs spoke about all the pieces with such care.

His phrases are a reminder that all of us have to be light with individuals, together with ourselves.

Diggs spoke with SheKnows about mental health, parenting his biracial son, and what he needs individuals to know concerning the schizophrenia neighborhood.

When requested what he wished individuals knew extra concerning the schizophrenia neighborhood, Diggs responds that he needs individuals to know “that there’s a neighborhood.” He says, “As a result of I do know when my sister was identified, each my sister and I discovered ourselves feeling alone. It’s very straightforward to fall again and sort of go inwards versus being made conscious that there are others on the market who’ve comparable struggles. I can see my sister simply sort of stress-free, realizing, and being reminded that there are others on the market who’ve comparable conditions. That’s one thing that basically counts.”

As you may think about, Diggs and his sister additionally skilled the racial disparity within the schizophrenia neighborhood, and the mental health community at massive. Per RTOR, Black American adults are 20 p.c extra more likely to expertise critical psychological well being issues, and greater than 80 p.c of Black People are very involved concerning the stigma, discouraging them from searching for therapy.

In terms of breaking the stigmas, Diggs’ recommendation is straightforward: “Simply do the analysis!” He says, “For me, it was simply being uncovered, having the braveness to disregard my preliminary ideas of pulling away.”

However he additionally needs individuals to know that it isn’t straightforward. However fortunately, “it takes work, and it’s one other factor that individuals want to comprehend,” he says. “It’s not gonna be straightforward. I believe that’s a part of life and I really feel pleased with my sister and myself as a result of my complete household is aware of that we’re in it… Regardless of how we or different individuals might imagine it ought to finish, we’re in there [and] that’s what feels actually good.”

Diggs himself has robust days relating to sustaining his mental health. “That’s an ongoing expertise as effectively as a result of loads of instances, I’ll persuade myself that I’m okay however then my physique will simply shut down. So it’s one thing that I’m nonetheless sort of studying. Meditating helps, respiratory helps. Creating boundaries and setting your self as much as succeed, no matter that’s. It’s sort of forcing your self to test in, however then additionally being affected person with your self.”

Whereas he’s instructing himself higher practices daily, he’s doing the identical along with his teen son, Walker Nathaniel, whom Diggs shares with ex Idina Menzel. Being a teen in 2025 isn’t straightforward, however Diggs helps his son alongside the best way, together with explaining schizophrenia and different psychological well being situations.

“I’m right here, simply exposing him,” he says. “I inform him what’s happening and the way it goes down, how all the pieces goes down, what my sister is feeling, and the way she felt. Simply giving him the blow-by-blow as I expertise it, simply so I can dispel any photos that he might have seen on tv or whatnot. And in addition ensuring that he is aware of that everyone’s scenario is completely different. I believe it may be straightforward to be uncovered to at least one sort of particular thought after which suppose that all the pieces else following that’s the similar, and that’s not the case.”

The Private Practice alum added, “He’s a teen, so I can solely I can solely say a lot to him earlier than I get my cool card revoked. Simply letting him know that everyone’s completely different and to not make assumptions, simply take heed to individuals, and attempt to be as supportive as potential earlier than passing judgment.”

Together with serving to him navigate psychological well being, Diggs can also be working onerous to ensure Walker feels seen, protected, and empowered. Diggs mirrored that with most issues in parenting, it’s “an on a regular basis expertise.”

“That is one factor that I’m positive about: the second I believe I’ve it discovered, I do know I don’t. So I do my finest to sort of be within the second and belief my experiences. I simply gotta dwell with what occurs afterwards the place we’re all doing the most effective we will. The way in which I used to be raised and the scenario and the problems that that I needed to cope with are utterly completely different for him,” he explains. “He’s biracial. So already, he’s coming into the sport with completely different sort of completely different guidelines. However he’s additionally a special particular person than I’m, he’s constructed in another way.”

What does he imply by in another way? Nicely, Digg explains, “He’s much more assured. I went by way of a nerdy awkward stage, and he’s simply mister cool dude. I’m coping with him as he did and doing the most effective to sort of lengthy pay attention versus educate and pay attention. But when there are moments after I can sort of use my experiences to assist, I try to I believe most significantly, it’s simply the help, love, and a focus.”

To fellow mother and father of teenagers, Diggs recommends being “affected person with themselves and to be affected person along with your child.”

Say it louder for the individuals within the again!

When it comes right down to it, children want love, help, consideration, and, as Diggs says, each mother and father and youths want one other attribute for a contented house. He says to fellow mother and father of teenagers that they have to be “affected person with themselves and to be affected person along with your child.”

“There are occasions while you attempt to be within the second and each scenario is completely different, however guarantee that the kid is aware of you’re there… There are specific instances when teenagers have to be sort of coaxed after which different instances while you say, ‘Okay. Whenever you wanna say one thing, I’m right here,’” he says. “I believe it’s vital that they know that you simply’re there to help them, it doesn’t matter what.”