Samantha Panlilio admits being depressed after Miss Grand International 2021

Samantha Panlilio revealed that she suffered from depression after the 2021 Miss Grand International pageant held last December.

The Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2021 bared her struggles in a video from a recent talk she gave on mental health.

“After competing in Thailand, I felt so lost, frankly, because of the way that some things turned out and I was also reading so many comments online,” she said.

“I felt that people were putting out each and every flaw that I have and it was just so hard to accept.”

Samantha also revealed that her sister-in-law died due to cancer when she came home.

“Not only was I dealing with my own personal heartbreaks, but I was also dealing with my family’s,” she said. “Because of this, I did fall into depression. I was just so lost.”

Thankfully, Samantha said she was now feeling better with the help of her loved ones. She also took a social media break to get her mind off things.

“I think that was one of the healthiest decisions I made ’cause it was during this time that I learned that happiness is always a choice,” she said.

“People may say things about you, but it’s up to us how we react to these uncertainties, how we react to these uncontrollable situations. That really is what inherently makes us a stronger and better person at the end of the day.”

Before ending her post, the beauty queen reminded those who were suffering that they were not alone and making boundaries was okay as long as it’s for one’s well-being.

“We really need to prioritize our mental health just as much as our physical health. If that means you taking a break from social media, distancing yourself from everyone, then that’s okay because you know yourself best.”

Samantha failed to enter the Top 20 in the Miss Grand International 2021 pageant, where Vietnam’s Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien was crowned. – Franchesca Viernes/RC, GMA News