Howie Mandel Opens Up About Mental Health Struggles: ‘I Almost Died’

In a recent interview, America’s Got Talent judge Howie Mandel opened up about his mental health struggles, revealing that he “almost died” due to self-medicating during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Howie Mandel Talks About Mental Health Struggles

Howie Mandel was recently a guest on Hoda Kotb’s podcast Joy 101, where he shared that he’s currently on prescription medication for his mental health. Mandel added, “I’m not self-medicating, though I did that during COVID, and I almost died.”

Mandel, who was diagnosed with OCD in his early 40s, revealed that he “couldn’t sleep” at the time due to anxiety, as the pandemic worsened his germaphobia. He started taking an excessive amount of gummies to help him sleep, as well as smoking and drinking to “escape.”

The TV personality credits his wife Terry Mandel for giving him an “ultimatum” to start therapy, recalling, “Finally, my wife just went, ‘I can’t do this, this is really tiring, go talk to somebody.'” Mandel called her a “hero” for encouraging him to seek help.

Mandel said that he’s now “surrounded by professionals,” and that staying “really busy” helps to distract him from “dark recurring thoughts.”

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Mandel Is Currently Judging on AGT

Howie Mandel has been a judge on America’s Got Talent since Season 5 of the show. He is currently sitting on the panel for Season 21 of the competition, alongside fellow judges Mel B, Sofia Vergara, and Simon Cowell.

The show is currently airing the live Quarterfinals. During the first live show of the season, Mandel pressed the Golden Buzzer for magic act Hundred Fingers, sending them straight to the Finals. He previously awarded them the Golden Buzzer in their audition.

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Are you a fan of Howie Mandel as a judge on AGT? Have you been watching Season 21 of the show this summer? Let us know in the comments below.