[Trigger warning: mentions of suicide, depression, and self-harm]
Maureen Wroblewitz opened up about her struggles with psychological well being which began at an early age, in step with Suicide Prevention Month this September.
The Filipino-German mannequin and Miss Universe Philippines runner-up mentioned that her challenges began when she misplaced her mother at 11 years outdated, with extra difficulties coming quickly after.
“I had slowly started losing faith in myself,” she wrote on Instagram.
Maureen’s first picture within the Instagram carousel was one from her teenage years.
“This girl that you see smiling and posing in front of the camera was thinking of all the easiest ways to end her life just a few months prior,” she added. “If it wasn’t for her little sister finding her in a vulnerable situation and telling her parents about it, I don’t know if I would be here today.”
Maureen mentioned that after that incident, she felt remoted.
“I was fighting my inner demons alone because I chose to suffer in silence. I didn’t want to burden anyone with my problems but I also was too ashamed of them,” she mentioned. “I knew something was wrong but I wanted to hide that for as long as I could. It wasn’t until one blurry night and suddenly I was exposed.”
Maureen’s mother and father steered that she begin seeing a therapist. After just a few classes, her dad gave her the guide “Life Without Limits” by Nick Vujicic. These moments are “what ultimately inspired me to change my outlook on life,” Maureen mentioned.
Nick’s story and the guide made 13-year-old Maureen notice, “I hadn’t even seen the world yet.”
“I didn’t know what was yet to happen, and I thought ‘What if I do become someone in this lifetime?’ ‘What if I get to inspire people with my story?’ ‘What if I’m meant for something bigger?’ From then on I knew I had to make my dreams a reality, I knew I couldn’t hide in my darkness forever,” she mentioned.
She added, “I was convinced that telling my story was my purpose and that I had to work hard so I could become someone that I’m proud of.”
With that shift in mindset, alternatives began pouring in. Maureen began a weblog the place she talked about her life and love for vogue. A yr later, she was found by her supervisor on Instagram. Three years after that, Maureen mentioned, “I was living my dreams in the Philippines.”
Maureen mentioned although she wished to share her story earlier than, “I now understand that the best way is to just do it, to speak my truth and people will listen.”
“I consider that even when I get to assist only one particular person by sharing my story, I’ve carried out one thing proper,” she added.
Although depression remains a constant battle, Maureen said she is no longer afraid to ask for help.
“I see my therapist every month, I have motivational calls with my momager and I have the support of my family and my boyfriend,” she said.
She also thanked the people in her life for the love and care, as well as her supporters for making her dreams come true.
“I wouldn’t be here without them.. literally,” she said.
“I can now say that I’m extremely proud of myself, not just for all my achievements but for having found the strength to fight for what I believed in. I’m glad I didn’t give up on myself. I now know that I am truly meant for something bigger,” she added.
The Philippines has several counseling services and hotline numbers for mental health struggles. These include: DOH-NCMH Hotline: 0917-899-8727 or 02-7989-8727; Natasha Goulbourn Foundation Hopeline: 0917-558-4673, 0918-873-4673 and 02-8804-4673; and In Touch Crisis Line: 0917-800-1123, 0922-893-8944 and 02-8893-7603.
—Nika Roque/JCB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
