Maureen Wroblewitz opens up about struggling with depression and anxiety

Maureen Wroblewitz has opened up about her mental health and shared that she's been struggling with depression and anxiety.

In an Instagram post on Saturday, the Filipino model turned aspiring beauty queen shared snapshots of her short trip to Pangasinan—a break she needed for her own mental health.

"You only see what I post on social media but what I don't show are the challenges I go through every day," the model said.

"I have realized that in this new journey of mine I have been my worst competitor, I have always been. I pressure myself to improve but it only hurts me," she added.

"It is okay not to be okay, it is okay to be sad and cry, it is okay to feel unmotivated and unproductive. We need to acknowledge what we are feeling and know that all our feelings are valid. A lesson I have learned the hard way."

Maureen said she hadn't been open about her mental health in the past because she was embarrassed, but now, she wanted to change that.

"To whoever needs to hear this right now, know that you are not battling this alone. I wish I knew that when I was suffering from depression and anxiety (I still do). I wish I knew that all my feelings are valid," she said.

Maureen also expressed the importance of gratitude, especially during difficult times.

"I have even learned to make peace with my past experiences and not to dwell on them. Instead I like to thank them for making me the person that I am today. The strong, kind and beautiful person that I am," she said.

In 2017, Maureen won the fifth season of "Asia's Next Top Model." Now, she is among the top 30 delegates hoping to become the next Miss Universe Philippines. – Kaela Malig/RC, GMA News