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Maureen Wroblewitz opens up about mental health struggles during teen years
[Trigger warning: mentions of suicide, depression, and self-harm]
Maureen Wroblewitz opened up about her struggles with mental health which started at an early age, in line with Suicide Prevention Month this September.
The Filipino-German model and Miss Universe Philippines runner-up said that her challenges started when she lost her mom at 11 years old, with more difficulties coming soon after.
“I had slowly started losing faith in myself,” she wrote on Instagram.
Maureen’s first photo in 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 said that after that incident, she felt isolated.
“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 said. “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 parents suggested that she start seeing a therapist. After a few sessions, her dad gave her the book “Life Without Limits” by Nick Vujicic. These moments are “what ultimately inspired me to change my outlook on life,” Maureen said.
Nick's story and the book made 13-year-old Maureen realize, “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 said.
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, opportunities started pouring in. Maureen started a blog where she talked about her life and love for fashion. A year later, she was discovered by her manager on Instagram. Three years after that, Maureen said, “I was living my dreams in the Philippines.”
Maureen said though she wanted to share her story before, “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," 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
