GH's Brytni Sarpy Opens up About Her Struggles With Depression

Every October 10 is World Mental Health Day, helping bring awareness to mental health issues, and this year, GENERAL HOSPITAL actress Brytni Sarpy (Valerie) did her part to help by sharing her own personal story. “So, I recorded this earlier this year and wasn’t sure if I would ever feel comfortable posting it, and honestly I still don’t,” she admitted of the three-part emotional video confession she posted to Instagram. “But I also feel that it is more important to let someone in this world know that in the moments when life has left you feeling depleted, helpless, and alone, that you aren’t.

“From someone who struggles with anxiety and depression,” Sarpy continued, “I wanted to take a moment — or three minutes — on Mental Health Day and tell whoever needs to hear it that you are loved, you are important, and you will get through whatever struggles you are facing. We all complain that Instagram and social media only displays our highlight reel, so here ya go — behind the scenes.”

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So. I recorded this earlier this year, and wasn’t sure if I would ever feel comfortable posting it, and honestly I still don’t. But I also feel that it is more important to let someone in this world know that in the moments when life has left you feeling depleted, helpless, and alone, that you aren’t. From someone who struggles with anxiety and depression, I wanted to take a moment (or 3 mins) on #mentalhealthday and tell whoever needs to hear it-that you are loved, you are important, and you will get through whatever struggles you are facing. We all complain that Instagram and social media only displays our highlight reel, so here ya go, behind the scenes. I love you. 🖤

A post shared by Brytni (@brytni) on Oct 10, 2018 at 9:26pm PDT

In the three clips, Sarpy wiped away tears as she candidly confesses to her own struggles with the overwhelming nature of life. “Life is so… hard,” she admitted. “Overwhelmingly hard. You know it’s going to be hard. Everyone anticipates that life is going to be hard. But you never realize how hard it is. I don’t think I could ever forget this feeling. This feeling of… just wanting to relax. Just wanting to not have to hold my breath… all the time. To stop having to take the jabs of life.”

Sarpy also explained further why she chose to record these intimate clips and ultimately share them with the world. “I guess I thought it was important to… capture the moments when I feel on the other side of the extreme instead of just capturing the moments when we’re all happy and excited and everything’s fun,” she sighed. “Because these are really real moments, too.”

If you or someone you know is struggling, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273 8255.

For more on your favorite GH stars, keep reading the ABC edition of Soaps In Depth magazine.

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