Maurice Benard is sharing some insight into his mental-health journey.
The General Hospital star, who has played Sonny Corinthos on the soap opera for over three decades, explained during his two-part interview with Genie Francis and Jonathan Frakes on his State of Mind podcast why he feels “proud” of overcoming obstacles pertaining to his mental health.
“When I talk to people about what I’ve gone through, a lot of people might not understand the pain we feel inside,” Benard, 62, said. “And the thoughts are un-fricking-bearable.”
“People don’t understand, I know you felt it, you feel like you can’t go another day. You just feel like there’s no way… And the fact that we do is incredible,” he added. “You should feel very proud of yourself. I can honestly say, I feel proud of myself that I can go through this when its that tough.”
Benard — who opened up about his depression in a 2020 interview with PEOPLE and in his memoir, Nothing General About It — has previously shared that he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 22. He first went public with the diagnosis in 2000, before starting his work with the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
“Without being too dramatic, both of you are survivors,” Frakes, 73, told Francis, his wife of over 37 years during the podcast. “In a way that is admirable, inspiring and helpful, frankly.”
Elsewhere during the couple’s conversation with Benard, Francis detailed her own experiences with anxiety and how her husband offers her support. “I start to get panicky and cry and feel sick… my subconscious remembers I have an engagement that night before I consciously do,” she said.
“When I go down the rabbit hole… he will never leave me alone,” Francis said. “When it lifts, I can finally stand up straight, I can breathe. And I look at him and say, ‘Thank you for not leaving me alone.’ “
The State of Mind conversation with Francis and Frakes premiered on Sunday, Nov. 16, with a second part set to arrive on Sunday, Nov. 23.
As for Benard, he weighed in on the speculation about his future on General Hospital on the Oct. 28 episode of Richard Taite’s We’re Out of Time podcast. When asked if he was leaving the show, Benard shut down the rumors: “No, I’m not leaving.”
“There have always been a lot of people [saying that]. I think they’re saying I’m dying, too, like I have cancer or something,” he said.
He reiterated that he has a “year left” in his contract and has no plans to depart. “Look, I’m going to retire, but I don’t think it’s going to be before I’m 65,” he admitted.
He added, “Let people say what they say.”
General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC. Check local listings.
If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
