Almost ten years after becoming a household name through Stranger Things, Noah Schnapp is speaking candidly about the mental health challenges faced by child actors and the urgent need for stronger support systems within the industry.
The actor recently shared that although he once believed therapy wasn’t necessary for him as a “happy-go-lucky kid”, his perspective has changed with time. Schnapp revealed that he has since sought therapy and now agrees with Ariana Grande’s view that mental health care should be compulsory for children working in entertainment.
Reflecting on his early years in the spotlight, Schnapp explained how growing up under constant public scrutiny can be deeply unsettling. “It’s hard to grow up in the public eye,” he told USA Today. “You don’t know yourself, you haven’t figured anything out, and now you’re expected to know everything and have all the answers.”
He also spoke about the pressure of being judged for mistakes made at a young age, noting that missteps tend to follow young actors indefinitely. “I was constantly saying the wrong things or being embarrassed by not taking certain things seriously that I should’ve, and then that lives on forever,” he said, adding that personal growth is far more difficult when it happens in full public view.
Schnapp was just 11 years old when he began filming the first season of Netflix’s Stranger Things, which premiered in 2016 and went on to run for five seasons. Looking back, he now believes that professional guidance beyond parental support is essential. “Through the years, it becomes like, ‘No, this is an abnormal life, and you need some type of support system outside of your parents,’” he said.
As he’s grown older, Schnapp has also gained a deeper understanding of why many in Hollywood struggle with mental health issues. “Growing up, I never understood why people were depressed or turned to drugs or had eating disorders,” he admitted. “As you get older, you understand how the pressures of Hollywood can create that.” He added that he often tells his parents he couldn’t imagine living in Los Angeles, saying the environment might overwhelm him.
Meanwhile, Stranger Things Season 5 is currently rolling out on Netflix, with the first four episodes already streaming. The next three episodes arrive on December 26 in India, followed by the two-hour series finale on December 31.