Kylie Verzosa may be a well-renowned beauty queen and model now, but her life isn’t as perfect as it seems. ICYDK, Kylie’s advocacy for mental health arose from her personal battle with depression as a 21-year-old.Â
In Toni Gonzaga’s most recent Toni Talks episode, Kylie revealed that she was first diagnosed as clinically depressed in 2014.Â
“Pakiramdam ko na parang buhay ako pero patay ako sa loob. Minsan yung thoughts na nasa ulo ko, bakit pa ako andito? Sana hindi ka na lang nagising,” she shared, recounting all the times she doubted herself as a young model.Â
“It’s a kind of sadness na hindi mo siya matatanggal in a snap, kahit anong gawin mo. Yung mga gusto mo dati, hindi mo na siya magagawa. Very dark, very isolated ka from your friends. Wala akong gustong gawin, hindi ko siya kayang gawin,” she added. Kylie explained that she struggled with various depression symptoms like loss of appetite, restlessness, and suicidal thoughts.Â
Although she refused to accept her mental illness at first, she eventually talked to her father about what she was going through. From there, she began her healing process by reading books, praying, volunteering for social work, and surrounding herself with friends and family.Â
Most importantly, Kylie learned to trust that recovery had to start with her mindset. “You really have to will yourself to get better. As in kailangan gustong-gusto mo na maging mabuti kasi ako rin that’s what I really wanted. It really takes supreme effort on your part to get better. No one will help you but yourself,” she shared.Â
Now 30 years old, Kylie continues to advocate for mental health awareness through Mental Health Matters, a non-government organization she established in 2017. In collaboration with telemedicine service KonsultaMD, the institution offers educational resources, support group sessions, and free counseling appointments.Â
You can watch Kylie’s full interview here:Â
 If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts, here are some important numbers and websites in the Philippines:
NCMH Crisis Hotline:
Globe/TM: 09178998727 / 09663514518
Smart/SUN/TNT: 09086392672
Center for Family Ministries (for spiritual counseling):
Landline: (02) 426-4289 to 92
Ateneo Bulatao Center
Landine:Â (02) 426-5982
E-mail: bulataocenter.ls@ateneo.edu
Online resources for mental health and suicide prevention:
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
READ MORE:Â
Miss International Kylie Verzosa Starts Online Support Group For Mental Health
Liza Soberano Reacts to Poster of Upcoming Film 'Tililing': 'Mental health is NOT a joke'
7 Mental Health Initiatives Launched for the Youth
KD Estrada Pens Reassuring IG Caption for People Battling Mental Health Problems
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