Maurice Benard has never been just another actor on General Hospital. For more than three decades, he has been the emotional backbone of the series, portraying Sonny Corinthos

with a depth, vulnerability, and authenticity that has helped define daytime television. This holiday season, however, it wasn’t a dramatic plot twist or shocking on-screen moment that

left fans stunned—it was a deeply personal, heartfelt message from Benard himself, one that resonated far beyond Port Charles and reminded viewers why his influence extends well past the screen.

A Legacy Built Over Decades

When Maurice Benard first stepped onto the General Hospital set in 1993, his role as Sonny Corinthos was intended to last just six months. Few could have predicted that this charismatic mob enforcer would evolve into one of the most iconic characters in soap opera history. Benard’s commanding presence and emotional truth quickly captured the audience’s attention, turning Sonny into a central figure whose storylines would span generations.

Over the years, Benard has guided Sonny through an extraordinary range of narratives—from violent mob wars and epic love stories to profound explorations of family, loyalty, and mental illness. His portrayal of Sonny’s bipolar disorder, informed by Benard’s own lived experience, has been widely praised for its honesty and sensitivity. The performance has earned him multiple Daytime Emmy Awards and cemented his place as a cornerstone of General Hospital.

Sonny Corinthos is no longer just a character; he is a cultural touchstone. Viewers have grown up alongside him, watching his triumphs and failures mirror real-life struggles in a way that few soap characters ever achieve.

Beyond the Screen: The State of Mind Movement

While Benard’s on-screen work continues to draw acclaim, his off-screen impact may be even more profound. Through his groundbreaking podcast, State of Mind, Benard has become one of daytime television’s most influential mental health advocates. The podcast, widely regarded as a leading platform for mental health conversations in the entertainment industry, offers candid, compassionate discussions about emotional wellness, resilience, and recovery.

What sets State of Mind apart is Benard’s radical honesty. He speaks openly about living with bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression, creating a space where vulnerability is not just allowed, but celebrated. The show regularly features actors, musicians, and public figures—many from the soap world—who share their own mental health journeys. In doing so, Benard has helped dismantle long-standing stigmas and reminded listeners that success and fame do not shield anyone from emotional struggle.

For countless fans, the podcast has become a lifeline, offering validation, understanding, and hope. It is not an exaggeration to say that State of Mind has changed lives.

A Holiday Message That Stopped Fans Cold

Just ahead of the holiday season, Benard took to Instagram to share a message that quickly spread across social media and left fans deeply moved. Rather than posting a polished promotional update, he shared a simple but powerful list of what he considers “good” in life—a declaration of gratitude, acceptance, and hard-earned wisdom.

He began with the basics: gratitude for having a job, recognizing that work provides not only financial stability but also purpose and structure. He openly praised therapy, reinforcing his long-standing message that seeking professional help is an act of strength, not weakness. Coming from a public figure of his stature, that endorsement carried enormous weight.

Benard also highlighted the everyday joys that keep him grounded—his love of boxing, the discipline it requires, and the mental clarity it brings; his passion for the San Francisco 49ers and the sense of community that comes with being a devoted fan. These small pleasures, he reminded followers, are often the foundation of real happiness.

Redefining Mental Health With Courage

Perhaps the most startling—and powerful—part of Benard’s message was his declaration that it is “good” to be bipolar and to live with anxiety and depression. In a culture that still treats mental illness as something to hide, this statement was revolutionary. Benard reframed these conditions not as flaws, but as part of the human experience—elements of his identity that have shaped his empathy, creativity, and resilience.

He went on to say that it’s good to cry, validating emotional expression in a society that often discourages it, particularly for men. At the same time, he celebrated joy, emphasizing that emotional health means embracing the full spectrum of human feeling. His message was clear: healing doesn’t come from suppressing pain, but from allowing ourselves to feel—fully and honestly.

Family, Faith, and Finding Peace

Benard’s list continued with the people and practices that bring him peace. He spoke about the importance of friends, the healing power of animals, and the joy he finds in spending time with his grandchildren. These moments, he suggested, are reminders of what truly matters—connection, presence, and love.

He also acknowledged the role of prayer and spirituality in his life, noting the comfort and grounding they provide. For many who live with mental health challenges, faith can offer a sense of hope and continuity, and Benard’s openness about this aspect of his life resonated deeply with fans.

He concluded his message with a statement that carried extraordinary weight: “It’s great to be alive.” Coming from someone who has openly battled severe mental illness, those words landed as both a triumph and a promise—proof that survival can lead not just to endurance, but to genuine joy.

A Community Responds

The response from fans was immediate and overwhelming. Social media flooded with messages of gratitude, personal testimonies, and expressions of solidarity. Many shared that Benard’s words arrived at exactly the moment they needed to hear them.

The timing was especially poignant given recent conversations within the General Hospital community about mental health. Fellow alum Chris McKenna had recently appeared on State of Mind, publicly sharing his own bipolar diagnosis. Together, these moments created a ripple effect of openness and understanding, encouraging others to speak their truth.

A Lasting Impact

Maurice Benard continues to prove that being a public figure comes with both privilege and responsibility—and he has chosen to use his platform with compassion and courage. Through his acting, his advocacy, and his unwavering honesty, he has reshaped how mental health is discussed in daytime television and beyond.