5. Carrie Fisher
Carrie Fisher, who sadly passed away in December, was known for her bipolar disorder advocacy just as much as she was known for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars films.
The beloved actress was diagnosed in her 20s, and remained unapologetically outspoken about her struggles with the disorder and addiction throughout her life. She shared messages of hope and healing throughout her career, inspiring others with mental illness and helping break down the stigma against them.
"We have been given a challenging illness, and there is no other option than to meet those challenges," she wrote in a column for The Guardian.
"Think of it as an opportunity to be heroic — not 'I survived living in Mosul during an attack' heroic, but an emotional survival. An opportunity to be a good example to others who might share our disorder."
