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 that means. Diggs’ youthful sister, Christian, was identified with schizophrenia in her late 20s, and at this time, the siblings work with Bristol Myers Squibb on the “Live Your PosSCZible” marketing campaign to not solely elevate consciousness about schizophrenia but additionally assist create potentialities for these residing with it.
The pair co-hosted an LA expertise occasion that includes the schizophrenia group, 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 severe psychological situation that impacts 2.4 million adults within the US alone. It could actually include hallucinations, delusions, and disordered considering that would closely have an effect on each day functioning. It may be impairing, but it surely doesn’t should outline you — and that’s what this sibling duo desires to remind everybody.
“It was a beautiful instance of simply how these of us aren’t letting the analysis outline them. I noticed these individuals on stage, they usually had been good artists versus individuals struggling and coping with schizophrenia. I noticed that facet of them, that side, and it was actually eye-opening,” Diggs says. “I’m grateful. I’m persevering with to study 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 verify individuals actually felt what he was saying. Whether or not it was speaking about what he realized by his sister’s experiences, his personal journey with psychological well being, and even speaking in regards to the classes he’s educating his teen son, Diggs spoke about all the things 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 desires individuals to know in regards to the schizophrenia group.
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When requested what he wished individuals knew extra in regards to the schizophrenia group, Diggs responds that he desires individuals to know “that there’s a group.” 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 related struggles. I can see my sister simply sort of stress-free, realizing, and being reminded that there are others on the market who’ve related conditions. That’s one thing that basically counts.”
As you possibly can think about, Diggs and his sister additionally skilled the racial disparity within the schizophrenia group, and the mental health community at giant. Per RTOR, Black American adults are 20 % extra prone to expertise severe psychological well being issues, and greater than 80 % of Black Individuals are very involved in regards to the stigma, discouraging them from searching for therapy.
Relating to 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 desires individuals to know that it isn’t straightforward. However fortunately, “it takes work, and it’s one other factor that folks 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… Irrespective 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 powerful days in relation to sustaining his mental health. “That’s an ongoing expertise as nicely as a result of a variety 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, respiration 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.”
Actor Taye Diggs and his son Walker Diggs
Getty Pictures
Whereas he’s educating himself higher practices day-after-day, he’s doing the identical together 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 occurring and the way it goes down, how all the things 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 pictures that he might have seen on tv or whatnot. And likewise ensuring that he is aware of that everyone’s scenario is totally different. I believe it may be straightforward to be uncovered to at least one sort of particular thought after which assume that all the things else following that’s the identical, 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 totally different and to not make assumptions, simply hearken 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 laborious to verify 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 found out, I do know I don’t. So I do my greatest 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 very best we will. The best way I used to be raised and the scenario and the problems that that I needed to cope with are utterly totally different for him,” he explains. “He’s biracial. So already, he’s coming into the sport with totally different sort of totally different guidelines. However he’s additionally a special individual than I’m, he’s constructed in a different way.”
What does he imply by in a different way? Effectively, Digg explains, “He’s way more assured. I went by a nerdy awkward stage, and he’s simply mister cool dude. I’m coping with him as he did and doing the very best to sort of lengthy pay attention versus train and pay attention. But when there are moments after I can sort of use my experiences to assist, I attempt to I believe most significantly, it’s simply the assist, love, and a focus.”
To fellow dad and mom 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 all the way down to it, children want love, assist, consideration, and, as Diggs says, each dad and mom and teenagers want one other attribute for a cheerful dwelling. He says to fellow dad and mom of teenagers that they have to be “affected person with themselves and to be affected person along with your child.”
“There are occasions if you attempt to be within the second and each scenario is totally different, however be sure that the kid is aware of you’re there… There are particular instances when teenagers have to be sort of coaxed after which different instances if you say, ‘Okay. Whenever you wanna say one thing, I’m right here,’” he says. “I believe it’s essential that they know that you just’re there to assist them, it doesn’t matter what.”
