Lili Reinhart has never shied away from tough conversations—and she brought that same openness to this week’s Women’s Health Lab event in New York City.
Held on May 19 at the New York Historical Society, the Hearst Magazines 2025 Women’s Health Lab gathered celebrities and thought leaders to spotlight women’s health issues ranging from cognitive and heart health to mental wellness and longevity. Big names like Chrissy Teigen, Christie Brinkley, Selma Blair, and Deborah Roberts were in attendance—but it was Riverdale star Lili Reinhart who got real about her long-standing battle with mental health.
“I have been talking about my mental illnesses for 10 years now, ever since I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety at 12,” Lili said onstage. “Honestly, it was never a conscious thought. Although I don’t really look at it as part of my identity, it is something that’s a part of my story, so when I started doing interviews, it just felt organic to talk about my experience with my mental health, and then people slowly started really responding to what I was saying.”
Lili’s honesty struck a nerve with fans, especially when she first rose to fame in her teens.
“Not that there weren’t other people in the industry talking about their mental health, but I was 19 at the time, on this big show, and people were surprised that I could have the capacity to feel depression,” she continued. “So I was constantly, at every turn, encouraged to keep talking about it, so that’s what I’ve been doing.”
In an industry that often glamorizes perfection, Lili’s willingness to share the messier, more human parts of herself is both refreshing and necessary. Her voice continues to help de-stigmatize mental health conversations—and remind others that they’re not alone.
