"I'm over staying silent about depression"...
Sure to bring reassurance and comfort to those who share this struggle, another celebrity - this time Kristen Bell - has opened up to the world about their respective struggles with depression, and it's wonderful; it's what we need more of, so that we reach a point where admitting that you're going through a tough time is no longer something you're afraid to do, and thus the weight of the experience is greatly reduced.
Also, the more people like Kristen Bell - who have an enormous and brilliant platform on which to share a message - speak openly about their struggles, the more the rest of us realise that we're not alone and that it's totally okay to not feel okay. The comedy actress is the latest celeb to share her experience of depression and no doubt this will come as a surprise to many who see her on screen and lolling about on chat shows with her consistently sunny disposition but as Kristen points out, just because you're a naturally bubbly person does not mean that depression or other mental health afflictions won't feature in your life, and that's okay. The actress penned a personal essay for Motto and it's well worth a read:
"When I was 18, my mom sat me down and said, 'If there ever comes a time where you feel like a dark cloud is following you, you can get help. You can talk to me, talk to a therapist, talk to doctor. I want you to know that there are options,'" she writes.
"When you try to keep things hidden, they fester and ultimately end up revealing themselves in a far more destructive way than if you approach them with honesty," Kristen explains. "I didn't speak publicly about my struggles with mental health for the first 15 years of my career. But now I'm at a point where I don't believe anything should be taboo."
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"There is such an extreme stigma about mental health issues, and I can't make heads or tails of why it exists... It's a knee-jerk reaction to judge people when they're vulnerable. But there's nothing weak about struggling with mental illness. You're just having a harder time living in your brain than other people. And I don't want you to feel alone."
"We’re all on team human here, and let’s be honest - it’s not an easy team to be on. It’s stressful and taxing and worrisome, but it’s also fulfilling and beautiful and bright. In order for all of us to experience the full breadth of team human, we have to communicate. Talking about how you’re feeling is the first step to helping yourself. Depression is a problem that actually has so many solutions. Let’s work together to find those solutions for each other and cast some light on a dark situation."
Read the full essay over yonder. Kudos, Kristen.
