Celebrities who have battled with depression

Depression is in the spotlight in South Africa. Several stars including Simphiwe Dana recently spoke out about their battle with depression and anxiety. 

Simphiwe revealed that she is afraid to take medication for her depression as she fears it will affect her creativity.  She does, however, take medication for her anxiety. 

Celebrities have been opening up about their mental health struggles following the death of AKA’s fiancée, Anele Tembe.

The 22-year-old fell to her death from the 10th floor of a hotel in Cape Town. While many believed she suffered from depression, her father stressed that he did not think she committed suicide. 

Despite no official word on what led to Anele's fall that the fateful day, her passing started an important discussion about mental health awareness. 

A report by iol states: “In South Africa, there are 23 recorded suicides a day, and for every suicide there are a further 20 attempted suicides.”

Here's a look at some other stars who have suffered from depression. 

READ: 'I have struggled with depression for over three years'- Photographer turns his pain into art

Katy Perry

In an interview with Vogue, Katy Perry said that between 2017 and 2018, she suffered with depression.

"I became depressed and I did not want to get out of bed. In the past, I had been able to overcome it, but this time something happened that made me fall down too many flights of stairs," she told the publication.

READ: Katy Perry opens up about depression and suicide

"I had to really go on a mental health journey,” she added.

The singer says what helped her was going through therapy, taking medication, and having the support of her partner Orlando Bloom.

Dr Tumi

"A couple of years ago, I got into my res room. I decided Im gonna kill myself and Christ walked into my life and showed me his life and just that was enough for me to turn my life around," Dr Tumi revealed in an Instagram post. 

READ: Dr Tumi and his wife arrested for allegedly defrauding National Lotteries Board of R1.5m

Demi Lovato

In 2020, singer Demi Lovato spoke about how she has been battling with depression for many years.

“Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. Since a young age I’ve dealt with suicidal thoughts and depression,” she wrote in one tweet. “I’ve been very vocal in raising the awareness of mental health because it is possible to see the light when you start the work on yourself," she wrote on Instagram.

“I’m living proof that you never have to give into those thoughts,” she continued in another tweet. “I’ve had many days where I’ve struggled but please let this song be an anthem to anyone who needs it right now. You can get through whatever it is you’re going through,” she wrote in another post.

John Newman

Last year, John Newman announced to the world that he will be taking a break from his music career due to suffering from depression.

The ‘Stand By Me’ hitmaker took to Instagram to announce the news.

“Today is marking the end of an incredible and amazing era in my life but change is a positive and uplifting thing. I have decided to pause my career to be able to discover the better side of me that is still there despite feeling such depression due to my work,” he wrote on Instagram.

Shudufhadzo Musida

Miss South Africa Shudufhadzo Musida is an advocate for mental health.

The reason she is so passionate about it is because she had to deal with depression from a young age.

What caused Musida to become depressed was bullying, which she experienced while in primary school.

“The bullying happened when I moved to a new school. Before the age of nine I was a bubbly little girl, but then people found it okay to bring me down at a time when I was only trying to discover myself. The ramifications were enormous,” she said during one of her sessions on #MindfulMondays.

“It got to the point where I thought if I covered up and didn’t draw too much attention to myself, maybe it would stop. I developed low self-esteem and it took me a long time to realise that it was actually never about me but about the people who were doing the bullying,” she added.

Nobuhle Mahlasela

Actress Nobuhle Mahlasela  opened up about her battle with depression and anxiety in an Instagram post recently.

“I’ve been fighting depression and anxiety all my life by ‘managing’ and ‘controlling’ it by simply blocking traumatic experiences I’ve encountered since I was a young girl. I attempted suicide twice in my life because… I just did not want to be here and feel this pain anymore," she wrote. 

Suffering from depression? Contact:

Cipla SADAG Mental Health Line - 0800 4567 789 or WhatsApp 076 88 22 775. For a suicidal Emergency: 0800 567 567. 

Destiny Helpline for Youth & Students - 0800 41 42 43

ADHD Helpline - 0800 55 44 33

Department of Social Development Substance Abuse Line 24hr helpline - 0800 12 13 14, SMS 32312

You can also visit Therapy route