Drew Carey Opens Up About His Mental Health Journey: “You Deserve Joy and Happiness”

For millions of Americans, Drew Carey is the cheerful and lighthearted host of The Price Is Right, a familiar face bringing joy to daytime television. But behind the infectious smile and trademark wit lies a man who has weathered profound mental health struggles — and now, he’s speaking out with vulnerability and purpose.

At the end of every episode of his show, Carey delivers a heartfelt reminder: “Take care of yourself, especially your mental health. You deserve joy and happiness. Go get it.” This isn’t just a sign-off — it’s a mission. The beloved host has made mental health advocacy a personal crusade, rooted in his own painful experiences.

“I’ve struggled all my life with depression,” Carey reveals. “And I’ve gotten a lot of help from just letting go and admitting that there’s a problem with me.” It’s a raw truth from someone who, in his younger years, battled dark thoughts and even attempted suicide. He first started opening up about these challenges only a few years ago — and doing so was not easy.

“What have I got to lose?” he says. “I’m already Drew Carey. I already have The Price Is Right. It’s going to benefit people. I’m on TV too much to hide things from people.” His candor is part of a broader effort to remove the shame and silence surrounding mental health — particularly for men, who are often taught to suppress emotion and avoid asking for help.

“There’s just this idea that men have to hold it all in,” Carey says. “That’s why men have higher rates of suicide, higher rates of homelessness. They’re ashamed to ask for help.” As a former Marine, Carey challenges the toxic notion that vulnerability is weakness: “I’m all man all the way around. It should be normal to talk about mental health.”

Carey’s approach to well-being is rooted in honesty, connection, and practical wisdom. When asked how he stays mentally strong, he highlights simple but powerful steps: “I make time for myself. I have people I can talk to. And for baseline happiness, I live within my means so I’m not stressed about finances every month.”

But it’s not just about managing stress — it’s about cultivating kindness and connection. “Be nice to the server at the restaurant, be nice to the clerk at the 7-Eleven — because it’s the right thing to do,” he emphasizes.

One of Carey’s most moving practices is a regular “mental health check” with his friends. “Before we start with our regular conversation, we just go, ‘Health check?’ And we go person to person, then check in with each other. That’s what friends do.”

Since incorporating mental health messages into his show, Carey has received a flood of positive feedback. His hope is to change the culture — especially among men — to see mental health care as just as essential as physical health. “Why don’t you consider your mind as part of your body?” he asks. “Why do you neglect your brain and your mental health when it’s all connected?”

Carey’s words are a call to action for anyone suffering in silence. “A lot of people are suffering and they don’t know where to go,” he says. “If you hear me now and you rationally know that, ‘Oh yeah, he’s right. I could see somebody and I would feel better’ — and you don’t — you’re being kind of a dope.”

As the applause fades and the credits roll, Carey’s message lingers — a reminder that even the brightest smiles can hide the darkest struggles, and that hope, healing, and happiness are within reach for everyone.