In an interview with [Parade Magazine] and [Ebony magazine interview by Laura B. Randolph, March, 1997] she talked about battling low self worth and depressive feeling and thought about committing suicide after her divorce. But from the outside looking in you might ask what someone with an amazing lifestyle like that could have those same problems that you have? She talked about being devastated by the ending of her marriage to David Justice, a baseball star. She stated “I took my dogs, and I went in the garage and sat in the car. For two or three hours, I just cried and cried. I thought ‘I can’t face it.’ I think that’s the weakest I have been in my life. That’s what the breakup of my marriage did to me.”
That is what thoughts of suicide are: they are just a desire to end the pain. The pain can be so deep and overwhelming. It can be all encompassing. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and Bi polar are caused by different triggers, feelings, and thoughts. But the one thing that they have in common is the pain they cause. The mental anguish can be overpowering. Can you understand being in pain constantly and the pain being so great it slows or stops you from doing the things you want? It is so hard to believe that people in that much pain would look at ways of stopping it?
Depression is so prevalent today that it represents 99% of all mind-brain illness. Can you wrap your head around that number 99%. In the US it is the leading cause of disability for ages 15-44. It is the primary reason for suicide and takes over 41,000 lives each year. That is almost 3 X’s the homicide rate for the year. Depression is rated in the same disability category as terminal cancer. This problem is huge and very painful. If you are suffering you are not alone and there are tools to help you overcome it. Halle said “people still associate therapy with being crazy. But I think you're crazy if you won’t consider going to get help for yourself- to learn the tools to deal with the problem in your life.”
Some of the tools that she found to deal with her stress are:
I was so excited to learn more about Halle Berry. To me this brought a new light to who she is. I was grateful to get to know her as a person rather than just a character. I really understand the feelings and thoughts that she talks about. I have a great deal of respect for her to come out and tell others about the things she has overcome and learned to deal with. She learned that “because someone didn’t love me didn’t mean that I was unlovable.” That is a life changing thought. I hope you will contemplate that for a few moments. I’m going to repeat that “because someone didn’t love me didn’t mean that I was unlovable.” That is brilliant. And a wonderful story for her to share with the world. That is what will change your life once you learn it!
Now I want to let each one of you know how much I appreciate each of you spending your time with me today. You mean a lot to me and I am glad you are here. I know some of the things you have overcome to get here. You are a big part of my life. If this message has been helpful please share it with a friend who may need to hear it. If you haven't yet, do yourself and me a favor and subscribe to this podcast. Also, check out the show notes there will be a spot to click and set up a time so we can discuss how you can use these tools and others to get your amazing life!
