General Hospital (GH) star Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos) reposted an older interview with Kate Mansi (Kristina Corinthos-Davis) on his State of Mind podcast over the weekend.
Although it originally aired on World Mental Health Day in 2023, its message about living with bipolar disorder and finding hope remains just as powerful today.
The Early Trauma and Diagnosis
Benard spoke with remarkable honesty about his lifelong mental health journey. During the conversation, the pair covered many topics.
However, Benard’s raw and honest reflections on living with bipolar disorder resonated deeply with viewers. That’s why this article focuses on the man behind Sonny Corinthos.
The veteran actor received a bipolar disorder diagnosis decades ago. He was 22 years old. One year before that, doctors placed him in a mental institution for over two weeks.
“Spent about two and a half weeks in there,” Benard said. He later escaped the facility, and a long period of severe depression followed. He thought his career was over before it really started.
Rationalizing the Pain Through Purpose
Maurice Benard didn’t give up on his acting goals. Instead, he decided to use his private pain for his art.
He uses “method acting” techniques. It’s an approach in which performers draw deeply on personal emotions and experiences to immerse themselves in a role. Actors such as Marlon Brando are often associated with the technique.
The mental health struggle made Benard better at his job, according to his own account. He explained that he learned to acknowledge and face his condition, and he got some satisfaction from doing his job so well.
Questioning Faith
For a long time, Benard questioned his faith. He wanted to know why he had to suffer so much. During his darkest moments, Benard admitted he struggled to understand why he had to endure so much suffering.
Maurice Benard eventually decided that a higher power had a reason for his pain.
“He wanted me to go through so much pain and suffering to prevent other people from going through pain and suffering,” Benard shared.
That realization gave him a sense of purpose. He wrote a book. He started his podcast. He kept talking publicly for more than 35 years.
Dark Period During the Pandemic
Like many people around the world, Benard found the pandemic especially difficult. During the lockdowns, he experienced one of the darkest periods of his life.
So many General Hospital fans could understand when he opened up about that period of his life.
Benard experienced a major mental health crisis during the global lockdown. The dark period lasted for months.
“I was going through…you know…figuring out how to end my life during the pandemic for four months straight,” Benard said.
A close friend helped him survive. The friend was a former police officer who served in Vietnam. The man called Benard every day to check on him. They talked and they cried together.
Benard admitted that he usually isolates himself when things get bad. The daily phone calls kept him alive.
His experience highlights how important it can be to stay connected and reach out for support during a mental health crisis.
Viewing Illness as a Superpower
Benard has often described living with bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression as giving him a unique perspective that helps both his acting and his ability to connect with others.
He noted that his struggles allow him to connect deeply with others who hurt. He prefers to be completely open about his life now. It helps remove the social stigma for others.
The podcast stayed serious for most of the hour. Benard got visibly upset at a few points. He joked about his own tendency to get overwhelmed during interviews. Then he thanked Mansi for her support.
Viewers Reacted
In the comments section, even though it was a repost by the GH star, viewers quickly shared their own experiences.
One significant comment read, “I love you Maurice! My friends don’t call to check up on me! It is horrible and I suffer such anxiety!”
Others agreed that many “people just don’t understand.”
Meanwhile, another follower expressed some anger about that, saying, “My FAMILY, in my house, DOES NOT GET IT! And it totally P*SES ME OFF!”
Getting Help
Fortunately, when feelings become too heavy to carry alone, organizations like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline are there to listen.
Sometimes one call is all it takes. If you or someone you know is struggling, in the United States, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24 hours a day.
Readers in other countries can contact their local crisis or mental health services for confidential support.
What are your thoughts about the way Maurice approaches his mental health? Does channeling your own pain into your work help you? Shout out in the comments below, and come back here often for more General Hospital cast news and updates.