Contestants of the the Miss USA pageant competition will have now access to mental health workshops, Crystle Stewart, Miss USA president confirmed to TMZ. The news comes after the death of 2019 Miss USA winner Cheslie Kryst, who died by suicide in January.
Pageant contestants currently competing will be matched with psychiatrists and mental health experts, Stewart said. The workshops are being run through her organization, The Crystle Stewart Foundation, and will help prep the young women to be in the public eye and work through the backstage stress that Stewart says can often lead to anxiety and depression.
The workshops will specifically help contestants develop coping mechanisms for when they feel anxious or overwhelmed and how to avoid a bout of depression if they don't win. Right now, the workshops are only available to people currently competing, but the plan is to eventually develop an alumni program.
Stewart said that the resources are equally important for both winners and those who don't get crowned. The Miss USA executive explained that winners can develop even more stress after getting the crown because they're immediately moved to LA, put into the Miss Universe competition and becomes celebrities overnight –– all of which can be overwhelming.
The initiative was accelerated by Kryst's death, Stewart admitted. Kryst's mother said her daughter suffered from depression and the Miss USA champion had previously shared concerns about aging.
If you or someone you know need mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.