Trigger warning: Ang artikulong ito ay naglalaman ng usapin hinggil sa “depresyon” at “suicide.”

“I'm glad I didn't give up on myself.”

Sa pagdiriwang ng Suicide Prevention Month nitong Setyembre, nag-open up ang model at beauty queen na si Maureen Wroblewitz hinggil sa kaniyang naging mental health struggles.

“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,” ani Maureen sa kaniyang Instagram post.

Eleksyon

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“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,” dagdag pa niya

Ayon kay Maureen, nang mawala raw ang kaniyang ina noong 11 taong gulang pa lamang siya at makaranas ng mga problema pagkatapos noon, unti-unti siyang nawawalan ng tiwala sa kaniyang sarili.

“I was fighting my inner demons alone because I chose to suffer in silence,” ani Maureen. “I didn’t want to burden anyone with my problems, but I also was too ashamed of them. I knew something was wrong, but I wanted to hide that for as long as I could. It wasn’t until one blurry night that suddenly I was exposed.”

Dahil dito, hinikayat umano ang 25-anyos model ng kaniyang pamilya na lumapit sa therapist. Pagkatapos niyang makumpleto ang sessions, niregaluhan din daw siya ng kaniyang ama ng librong “Life Without Limits” ng inspirational speaker na si Nick Vujicic.

“That is what ultimately inspired me to change my outlook on life. Nick’s story had made me realize that at just 13, I hadn't even seen the world yet,” ani Maureen.

“From then on, I knew I had to make my dreams a reality, I knew I couldn’t hide in my darkness forever. I was convinced that telling my story was my purpose and that I had to work hard so I could become someone I'm proud of,” saad pa niya.

Matapos ang naturang life-changing mindset, doon na raw nagdesisyon si Maureen na simulan ang kaniyang fashion blog.

“A year later, I got discovered by my now momager on Instagram and [three] years after that, I was living my dreams in the Philippines,” pagbabalik-tanaw ng beauty queen

“I have always wanted to share more about my mental health struggles, but I never knew how. I now understand that the best way is to just do it, to speak my truth and people will listen. I believe that even if I get to help just one person by sharing my story, I have done something right.”

Sinabi rin ni Maureen na “constant battle” pa rin para sa kaniya ang depresyon, ngunit hindi na raw siya natatapot na lumapit at humingi ng tulong sa iba.

Lumalapit pa rin daw siya sa therapist kada buwan, at nagsisilbi rin niyang emotional support ang kaniyang pamilya at boyfriend.

Nagpasalamat din si Maureen sa kaniyang supporters na tumulong daw para matupad ang kaniyang mga pangarap sa buhay.

“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,” saad ni Maureen.

“This is a reminder to check on your friends and family. Most people suffer in silence and depression is usually hidden behind smiles and laughter.

Remember to always be kind because you never know what someone is going through 🤍,” saad pa niya.

Si Maureen ang nagwagi sa fifth season ng Asia’s Next Top Model, kung saan siya ang pinakaunang Pinay na nagkamit ng naturang titulo. Sumali rin siya sa kaniyang unang beauty pageant noong 2021, kung saan tinanghal siya bilang Miss Universe Philippines 1st runner-up.