“I have depression; it does not have me.” – Michelle Williams
Depression. What does it look like? That’s a tough question to answer.
Depression on the surface can look like nothing more than a typical, “normal” human being. Or, in this one case, maybe even a vibrant, beautiful Grammy-award winning star.
Michelle Williams is a Destiny’s Child singer, a Hollywood Walk of Fame star owner, a public speaker, and a flawless mental health hero. Starting in her early teens, Michelle had symptoms of depression and it wasn’t until her thirties that she could put a name to it.
On the outside, she was a glowing woman finding great success in her musical career. Internally, mental health challenges were brewing and went undiagnosed for many years. When we heard her speak at the Mental Health America conference, she shared the all-too-common belief that “you have no reason to be depressed if you have so many great things going for you.” In truth, brain health challenges do not discriminate based on success, fame, or even your number of Twitter followers. As Michelle explained, success “doesn’t stop what’s going on with you internally.”
In recent years, she has engaged in public speaking, where she has shared her story and words of encouragement for others to seek the diagnosis and treatment that she herself went without for so many years. Her experience and advice shine light and positivity on topics such as depression by encouraging others to “make sure you’re always that little girl, standing with hands on hips, confident and fierce.” Michelle reminds us that seeking treatment is not a matter of giving up – it is truly the point of regaining one’s inner strength and power. No matter when that point in your life comes, the acknowledgment of needing treatment, just the same as needing a cast for a broken leg, helps healing to happen.
For Michelle, a diagnosis did not come until her thirties, which is an example that the journey to balanced health is individual. That pivotal moment for each person is a start on the road to acceptance, healing, and re-firing of that “little girl” fierceness. Michelle has recently been modeling this very powerfully as she demonstrates the ultimate act of self-love by sharing with the world her authentic truth about the current challenges she faces which inspires hope in us all. Brava Michelle Williams, We love you and #YouAreFlawless!
