‘General Hospital’ Chris McKenna Breaks Silence On His Health Crisis
Soap fans first met Chris McKenna when he played Viki’s teenage son Joey Buchanan on One Life to Live. He was in the role for three years. He starred in many primetime shows as an adult, including Good Trouble and S.W.A.T. Now on General Hospital, the actor candidly opened up about a health crisis he’s been dealing with. Keep reading to find out what’s going on.
General Hospital Star Nears First Anniversary With ABC Soap
Chris McKenna continued his acting career after leaving One Life to Live. He finally returned to his soap opera roots last year. He took over the role of WSB agent Jack Brennan after Charles Mesure abruptly left the role.
The OLTL alum’s first air date was in February. His first anniversary on General Hospital is rapidly approaching. It took a while before some viewers accepted him in the role. But now they barely remember anyone else playing Brennan.
Chris McKenna Breaks Silence On His Health Crisis
During his year at General Hospital, Chris McKenna has formed close friendships with some of his co-stars. He filmed an episode of Maurice Benard’s State of Mind podcast in Los Angeles, California.. The podcast brings awareness to mental health issues. Maurice Benard revealed years ago that he has bipolar disorder. He has shared a lot about his mental health struggles, and even got the show to give Sonny Corinthos the same diagnosis.
The full podcast episode doesn’t come out until Sunday, December 21. But PEOPLE magazine got an exclusive look at the upcoming episode. Chris McKenna candidly discussed his own mental health crisis for the first time.
The actor began by discussing how the COVID pandemic negatively affected his mental health. “I have bipolar disorder. This is the first time I’m ever talking about it publicly,” he told his General Hospital co-star.
Chris McKenna said he’s “doing good” now but struggled with his mental health in the past. “I had my first breakdown when I was a teenager and then lived my whole life with this disorder undiagnosed, which is fascinating in retrospect,” he said.
He was hospitalized after the breakdown and was suffering delusions. “I finally got my diagnosis that I needed my whole life and got on medication, and that’s where I am today,” Chris McKenna shared.
Fans Show Support
Chris McKenna’s full interview with Maurice Benard doesn’t come out until Sunday. But General Hospital fans showed their support after the short clip. One fan wrote, “I am so glad he shared with u and now with us.”
Another shared their own experience with a bipolar family member. “So happy Chris shared this with you and with us. 
. My brother has bipolar and it’s not easy and took years before he was diagnosed properly. You guys are in my prayers always.”
A third General Hospital viewer wrote, “Mental health is so important ! Took a lot of courage to come out and admit you have mental health issues!”
It’s not easy to open up about our mental health struggles. But Chris McKenna found a safe space with Maurice Benard for the emotional conversation.
