Cape Town – The festive season is usually a time when many South Africans enjoy being able to go out, party and spend time with loved ones. This year, South African actor Somizi Mhlongo wants to remind everyone about the danger of mental health and depression.
Somizi posted a 10-minute video to his Instagram page, as part of a series that he has dubbed “#bathroomtalkwithsomizi”.
“#bathroomtalkwithsomizi Lets talk anxiety depression mental health around festive,” he wrote in the caption.
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The IdolsSA judge started off by saying that December and the festive period brought out a lot of smiles and joy to many South Africans and people were always talking and posting about their happy journeys. However, he touched on a topic that many people suffered from but were often too afraid to speak about – depression and mental health.
The media personality called depression “evil” and said that this was because it hid in the most “beautiful places, people and expressions”. He voiced that there were numerous people who appeared happy but ended up committing suicide.
Somizi continued by saying: “As the year comes to an end, some people are reflecting on family members that they have lost. Others are maybe doing an introspection on their life. All I want to say to you is that depression is real, it is not an attention-seeking tactic.”
He added that he would continue to advocate and support mental health and said that anyone suffering now should know that nothing was permanent and that they would get through it.
“I will not stop advocating the importance of being vulnerable and not feeling shame. And I wish and hope that I carry on like this and that I don’t let you down. Nothing is permanent, including sad times. And I wish you a beautiful festive season. I love you.”
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Picture: Instagram/@somizi
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
