'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUI/8QAIhAAAQMEAAcAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDEQAEBQcGEhMhInGB/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL/xAAWEQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABABH/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/ALu89uZHhHYuOxthjbJ9uxbbuS4/zFSi5IIEER4iPZ+Voho9RpCx2CgCJpSqQDYu3//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
With over three decades portraying Sonny Corinthos on General Hospital, Maurice Benard’s beloved character continues to deal with mob wars, fractured family ties, and shifting loyalties. As most of his fans know, in real life, he’s become one of daytime’s most vocal advocates for mental health awareness. His long-running interview series State of Mind on YouTube has given actors, musicians, athletes, and everyday people the space to share their mental health journeys. It’s also benefited the listeners, and now, Benard is preparing to expand his mission in bold new ways.
General Hospital's Maurice Benard gets real
On Instagram, General Hospital’s Maurice Benard wrote, “This SOLO SOM after my tour I encountered so much mental health and this is my way of saying I love you guys and thank you.
SUNDAY 10am PST livechat. Also, after the solo, you can watch John York 11am PST. It’s gonna be a thing from now on. I’m putting up what I think you guys would dig to see. @generalhospitalabc John wasn’t too much into mental health so he started asking me a lot of questions about it, and I love when people do that!!! It’s all about educating.”
Benard began his latest episode of State of Mind by going unscripted. “This is what I call a solo State of Mind,” he told viewers, explaining that, unlike his usual prepared notes, this one came straight from the heart. Reflecting on his live tour and how he connected with fans afterward, Benard emphasized the importance of using his platform for something bigger: awareness. “There is so much mental health in this country, in the world. Uhm, it is unbelievable how many people are suffering, living with mental illness.”
A new era for State of Mind
Fans often share their own experiences with him, and the General Hospital star admitted the impact of those conversations is profound. “My brother committed suicide, my mother’s bipolar, I have anxiety, and it’s just never-ending,” he recounted from the stories people have told him. “Just recently,” he began and took a breath, continuing, “[a] 20-year-old great-looking kid committed suicide.” He struggled to find the words and added, “Like I said, you know, the only thing I can do is bring awareness to it.”
That mission is now evolving. Benard revealed he is taking State of Mind beyond YouTube and into the real world. “I’m going to do…State of Mind on the streets, and I’m going to interview homeless people. Just anybody who I think, may be going through something. And I can’t wait to do it. I can’t wait to bring those stories to the equation because I think they’re very, very important.” He hopes to launch this expansion in just “a couple of weeks.”
In addition, the General Hospital actor is considering interactive forums for deeper conversations, explaining that he wants to do private Zoom meetings for fans. “We can talk about mental health for two [to] three hours.” He continued by explaining, “I think that’s important.”
Trending
Calling State of Mind “a godsend,” General Hospital's Benard reminded fans that their support is what makes it possible: “I may give you the content, but you guys have to watch without, you know…one without the other is just not going to work.”
General Hospital can be seen weekdays on ABC and Hulu.
Reply
