Zoe Saldaña Says ‘Pride, Fear’ Used to Keep Her From Seeking Mental Health Help: ‘I Battled Alone’ (Exclusive)

Vanessa EtienneThu, October 8, 2026 at 11:15 AM UTC

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Zoe SaldanaCredit: Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty -

Saldaña says her 30s brought self-discovery with her mental health journey after a difficult period in her 20s

She partnered with Lancôme and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America for the “I’m Fine” campaign ahead of World Mental Health Day

The actress urges women to seek support, noting many hide their feelings by saying they are fine

For Zoe Saldaña, there have always been ups and downs when it comes to dealing with her mental health.

“I think it comes in waves,” the 48-year-old tells PEOPLE. “There are seasons where I feel ahead of it and I feel capable. And then there are times where I fall behind because I’m tired or really stressed. It’s life. Life tends to either get ahead of you or be behind you, and I’m always trying to kind of read the room, you know?”

The actress admits that she “went through a lot” in her 20s, but her 30s “became a very beautiful time of self-discovery” because she realized that she didn’t need to face her mental health struggles by herself.

“The challenges that were really hard to get through were the ones that I battled alone without any help, either because of pride or an inability to speak up or fear,” she explains. “And then the challenges that I feel like I was able to navigate easily and heal properly were the ones where I asked for support and a community rallied around me.”

Saldaña says she’s one of the many women who immediately responds, “I’m fine,” when asked how they’re doing. But learning to be transparent about her emotions was incredibly helpful.

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“There’s this bad habit of thinking that if you say you’re fine, then everything will be fine,” she says. “I still do it, but I just have to be honest with myself. When I’m not fine, I have to try to muster the courage to say it. To tell everyone around me, ‘Hey, I’m not fine, I really need your support, but this is how I feel like you can help.’ ”

That’s why Saldaña is now teaming up with Lancôme, alongside the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), for the launch of the brand’s “I’m Fine” global campaign to encourage women to break the silence on mental health and feel empowered to seek support.

Zoe SaldanaCredit: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty

Ahead of World Mental Health Day, the Lionessstar is stressing the importance of community, urging other women to check in not only with themselves but with other women who may be going through similar struggles.

“Approximately one in three women will experience anxiety or depression during their lifetime and yet, so many of us struggle to speak openly about our mental wellbeing,” Saldaña tells PEOPLE. “Also, 80 percent of women admit to saying, ‘I’m fine,’ when they’re not, and 72 percent regret hiding how they truly felt. That just lets you know we have to keep providing safe spaces for each other.”

“Check up on each other. It can start with a conversation, but then it needs to become action. If you feel something but you don’t know how to navigate it, just ask for help,” she says. “I think that it’s really important to surround yourself with people that truly wanna see you better and wanna see you healthy and happy and winning.”

on People

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”