Michelle Williams Clarifies Judgements About Mental Health: “I don’t wanna have to say this again!”

Michelle Williams Clarifies Mental Health Judgements: “I don’t wanna have to say this again!”

Destiny’s Child singer Michelle Williams has become an amazing advocate for mental health awareness in the Black community. Statistically, people of color have been less likely to pursue professional help for mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, and have upheld several misconceptions about mental illness. One of those misconceptions is that being depressed involves a disheveled appearance, which isn’t necessarily true. Michelle  has struggled with her own depression battle recently, and has been reportedly asked why she doesn’t look like what she’s been through. She took to Instagram to clear this up. Her caption reads:

“@michellewilliams “You don’t look like you’ve been depressed to me!” I posted about this on Twitter a few weeks ago. That was a statement someone said to me. It almost made me feel guilty for doing the work to feel better, look better and BE BETTER!! I began to wonder how long was I supposed to walk around looking like what I had been through. Now don’t get it twisted, I definitely looked and felt a mess but I made the decision to get it together!! I look at new pictures of me now vs 10 weeks ago and I truly thank God for bringing me this far. I hate to have this conversation again because my friends and family know that I’ve been here before. I just want to encourage someone to smile, get up, brush your teeth, comb your hair, shower, put some bronzer on, get a shape up, put some lotion on your ashy ankles, put something nice on. For those of you unfamiliar with someone going through something…..pray before you speak or just smile at them and keep it moving. With love!! Ps: as my mom would say “I don’t wanna have to say this again!” Click the link in my bio for my bible plan I created with @YouVersion on anxiety and depression! #MentalHealth #AmIGettingThickAgain #IHopeSo: @frawleyphoto Outfit provided by @juellemonea”

This past July, Michelle checked herself in to a Los Angeles mental health facility to treat her depression. She released this statement upon checking in:

“For years I have dedicated myself to increasing awareness of mental health and empowering people to recognize when it’s time to seek help, support and guidance from those that love and care for your wellbeing. Today I proudly, happily and healthily stand here as someone who will continue to always lead by example as I tirelessly advocate for the betterment of those in need.”

Upon release, she opened up about her treatment, and thanked her supporters. She also encouraged others to be less hard on themselves, and to keep going. She said:

“Thank you all soooooooooooo much for every message of love and support sent! My family, friends, and fiancé have been AWESOME! Sitting here reflecting on the past two weeks. I had no plans of what of what I was going through being public BUT now that it is I have made an even BIGGER commitment to the mental health awareness area. So many people are suffering, hurting, hopeless, lost and don’t see a way out but there is. Depression sucks, but my faith in God and my commitment to do the work to stay well is my way out! You have to do the work even when you’re tired and feel the heaviness. Take one step at a time! Don’t overwhelm yourself. If you can just get up out of bed and brush your teeth and shower. DO IT. For people dealing with depression, That is a HUGE step! Now don’t be depressed AND stinky….. pick a struggle! ?. (Y’all know I had to add some humor) Anyhoo….. I love you all very much! Talk soon! ?? (Yes I need a fill and my roots need to be flat ironed….. bye…. I haven’t lost my humor) ?? Oh…….. Miss Tina cooked a HUGE meal for me the other night too, i just wanted to make y’all jealous!”

Written by Miata Shanay