Selena Gomez announcement focuses attention on lupus’ mental health impact

Last week, Selena Gomez announced that she is taking a break from her world tour due to ‘anxiety, panic attacks, and depression’ associated with lupus.

This news highlights what the lupus community knows all too well – this is a common challenge, which is frequently caused by the emotional drain from the stress of coping with the complications of physical illness.

Selena’s decision to take time off herself raises awareness for this common, yet misunderstood aspect of coping with chronic illness.

Given the heightened media attention, we took the opportunity to educate media and the public about the devastating effects of the disease and emphasize mental health challenges. Below are a few of these news stories:

ABCNews.com: What to know about lupus, a disease affecting 1.5 million Americans
For Spanish speakers - Univision online: Qué es el lupus y por qué puede causar depresión, a propósito de Selena Gomez

If you're interested in learning more about depression and lupus—what causes it and what you can do—read our health education resource "Can lupus cause depression?"