Noah Schnapp Urges Therapy for Child Actors: “Life Is Abnormal!”

Nearly ten years since he first graced our screens on Stranger Things, Noah Schnapp is advocating for improved mental health support within the entertainment sector.

Schnapp recently shared that although he initially felt he didn’t need therapy, being a naturally cheerful child, his views have changed. Echoing sentiments by Ariana Grande, he now believes therapy should be compulsory for kids in showbiz.

“Growing up under the spotlight is challenging,” he explained to USA Today. “When you’re young and still discovering who you are, it’s tough to also have to appear all-knowing and perfectly poised.”

Schnapp added, “I often misspoke or didn’t take certain issues seriously enough, and those missteps are out there forever. Everyone evolves and learns, but doing so in the public eye is a whole different ballgame.”

Debuting its final episode this New Year’s Eve, Schnapp was just 11 years old when season one of Stranger Things began filming. The show premiered in 2016 and ran for five seasons.

“As time went on, I realized this isn’t a normal life; you need a support network beyond just your family,” Schnapp remarked.

“Growing up, I couldn’t grasp why people suffered from depression, substance abuse, or eating disorders. Now, I see how the pressures of the industry can lead to these issues,” he continued. “I’ve always told my parents that living in LA wouldn’t be for me; it seems too easy to lose oneself there.”

With the first four episodes of Stranger Things Season 5 now streaming on Netflix, the following three episodes are set to release on Christmas, culminating in a two-hour finale on December 31.