Actor Wentworth Miller Writes Powerful Post About Suicide And Body Shaming

The next time you find yourself chuckling at a nasty internet meme in which some kind of body shaming is involved, take a moment to remember that behind that meme is a real person, with real feelings and they’re no more equipped to brush off body shaming than you or I. Former Prison Break star (and for many he was/is a TV heartthrob) Wentworth Miller recently took to his Facebook page to share how body shaming can have unthinkable effects on people, as well as to shed light on his former mental health issues, raising awareness for others. Internet trolling or body shaming is something that, thanks to a meme that went viral from LadBible, he’s had the displeasure of experiencing first hand, but with the post below, he’s fast becoming a spokesperson for both mental health awareness and fighting back against body shaming. Whether you’ve been the victim of this before or you weren’t quite aware of the impact it can have, his words will strike a chord. The part at the end where he writes #PrisonBroken is particularly poignant.

“Today I found myself the subject of an Internet meme. Not for the first time.
This one, however, stands out from the rest.
In 2010, semi-retired from acting, I was keeping a low-profile for a number of reasons.
First and foremost, I was suicidal.
This is a subject I’ve since written about, spoken about, shared about.
But at the time I suffered in silence. As so many do. The extent of my struggle known to very, very few.
Ashamed and in pain, I considered myself damaged goods. And the voices in my head urged me down the path to self-destruction. Not for the first time.
I’ve struggled with depression since childhood. It’s a battle that’s cost me time, opportunities, relationships, and a thousand sleepless nights.
In 2010, at the lowest point in my adult life, I was looking everywhere for relief/comfort/distraction. And I turned to food. It could have been anything. Drugs. Alcohol. Sex. But eating became the one thing I could look forward to. Count on to get me through. There were stretches when the highlight of my week was a favorite meal and a new episode of TOP CHEF. Sometimes that was enough. Had to be.
And I put on weight. Big f–king deal.
One day, out for a hike in Los Angeles with a friend, we crossed paths with a film crew shooting a reality show. Unbeknownst to me, paparazzi were circling. They took my picture, and the photos were published alongside images of me from another time in my career. “Hunk To Chunk.” “Fit To Flab.” Etc.
My mother has one of those “friends” who’s always the first to bring you bad news. They clipped one of these articles from a popular national magazine and mailed it to her. She called me, concerned.
In 2010, fighting for my mental health, it was the last thing I needed.
Long story short, I survived.
So do those pictures.
I’m glad.
Now, when I see that image of me in my red t-shirt, a rare smile on my face, I am reminded of my struggle. My endurance and my perseverance in the face of all kinds of demons. Some within. Some without.
Like a dandelion up through the pavement, I persist.
Anyway. Still. Despite.
The first time I saw this meme pop up in my social media feed, I have to admit, it hurt to breathe. But as with everything in life, I get to assign meaning. And the meaning I assign to this/my image is Strength. Healing. Forgiveness.
Of myself and others.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Reach out. Text. Send an email. Pick up the phone. Someone cares. They’re waiting to hear from you. Much love. – W.M. ?#?koalas? ?#?inneractivist? ?#?prison broken?”
www.afsp.org
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
www.activeminds.org
www.thetrevorproject.org
www.iasp.info

For local services,

Samaritans

Pieta House