Introvert, 'di raw mailabas ang nararamdaman… Paulo, umaming depressed, gustong magpakamatay

Janice DS Navida / Showbiz Special

Nakakaalarma na talaga ang kaso ng depression sa ‘Pinas lalo’t mismong mga celebrities na ang openly ay umaamin sa kanilang pinagdaraanan. Kumbaga, kung akala natin, ang mga nadi-depressed lang ay ‘yung mga kapos sa buhay, aba’t kahit pala silang mga sa tingin natin ay ‘bukod nang pinagpala’ ay nakararanas din ng depresyon.

Kung matatandaan, ilan sa mga celebrities na umaming du­maan sa ganitong problema ay sina Claudine Barretto, Gab Valenciano, Baron Geisler, JM de Guzman, at kahit nga si Vice Ganda, ‘di ba’t umamin din noong may time na nakaramdam siya ng boredom at depresyon?

Then, heto ngayon si Paulo Avelino na buong-tapang na nag-share sa kanyang Instagram account ng kanyang pinag­daanan tungkol sa depression at suicidal thoughts.

Caption ng IG post kahapon ni Paulo, “RARELY do I share personal stuff on my social media accounts but I think it’s time I talked about this dark period in my life because I know that someone out there is going through the same thing. I want you to know that everybody has issues and sometimes you, seeing other people have them, will help you cope with your own.”

Rebelasyon ng magaling na aktor, “Years back, I found myself in a place where I only saw one way out. I went through a spiralling journey of depression and suicidal thoughts. Where everything seemed like nothing matters anymore. Locked myself at home, turned down almost every job that came in and shut myself off from work, friends, family, the world.”

At ang itinuturong dahilan ni Paulo ay ang pagiging introvert niya.

“I am introvert. And as an introverted person, I was so used to keeping my thoughts to myself. Even when I wanted to share stuff, I truly didn’t know how to. I didn’t know how to voice out all these feelings and thoughts inside me. So, here I am sharing with you guys that even the people who appear to be okay or who seem to “have it all” might be going through their own strug­gles, fighting their own demons.”

Kaya ngayon daw na nalag­pasan na niya ang phase na ito sa kanyang buhay, gusto niyang mag-share sa iba para magbigay-inspirasyon.

“Please, don’t be afraid to reach out to your friends, family, and loved ones. Often times, people will brush it off thinking it’s nothing to be concerned about or it’s a small matter. Don’t be scared to voice out what you feel no matter how hard it is. Never lose HOPE.

“If you aren’t ready to open up to the people closest to you, you can also reach out and call hopeline,” payo pa ni Paulo sa mga dumadaan sa depresyon.

Naku, buti na lang at nalabanan ni Paulo ‘yan at hindi siya nagpatalo sa kaway ng devil, ‘no! Jusko, kung nagpakamatay siya, sayang naman ang kagu­wapuhan niya at talent sa pag-arte.

Kaya sa mga nadi-depressed d’yan, esep-esep din bago mag-suicide at ‘wag pabigla-bigla, baka crowded na sa ‘ibaba’, wala na kayong paglalagyan. Char!