The World Health Organization estimates 350 million people globally are affected by depression. A longstanding feeling of sadness and despair, depression can be a serious health concern if left untreated, and in fact roughly half of those reporting depression never seek help.
Recently, more celebrities have opened up about their own struggles with depression. In fact within the last 30 days at least a handful of celebrities have brought up the issue. Wayne Brady spoke publicly about his depression diagnosis. Most people know him as a TV star, a game show host, and a comedian who is seemingly always smiling and laughing, a story that is eerily similar to that of Robin Williams, of whom also struggled with depression.
Brady referred to his depression as a vicious cycle of self-doubt. A poor sense of self-worth that leads you to truly believe you deserve all of the emotional, physical and mental devastation that depression carries. In response to this recent revelation, Sharon Osbourne then spoke out about her own depression struggle on her talk show. Osbourne acknowledges that she, like Wayne Brady, sought treatment and with the help of medication has been able to manage her depression.
Earlier in October, actress Rene Russo opened up about her struggle with depression in the form of bipolar disorder. Describing her entire life as “stop and go” until one day she crashed and realized she needed help. Another celebrity, Amanda Bynes, also recently shared that following months of public ups and downs she has been diagnosed as bipolar and after discharging from an inpatient treatment facility will continue with treatment and medication.
I am sharing these celebrity stories because mental health disorders can distort reality and lead many to believe that they are completely alone in this struggle and that nothing could possibly lift the suppressing veil of depression.
According to the WHO, depression treatment has a high success rate of approximately 80 percent, yet roughly two thirds never seek help. Brookhaven Retreat creates a treatment plan that is tailored to each woman’s unique and individualized fears and strengths. Through skill development, medication management and a wide range of therapeutic modalities, women learn to manage their illness and recognize that they are not alone.
